Artist Demonstrating Edvard Munch’s Jigsaw Woodcut Technique

Conservator and printmaker Christina Taylor demonstrates the jigsaw woodcut printing technique that artist Edvard Munch used to create the two colorful prints titled “Woman’s Head Against the Shore,” 1899, in the Harvard Art Museums’ collection.
These prints will be on view at the Harvard Art Museums in the exhibition “States of Play: Prints from Rembrandt to Delsarte,” from September 4, 2021-January 2, 2022. By decoding creative choices that the artist pursued or abandoned in each successive step, the exhibition helps uncover the full breadth of experimentation and demystifies printmaking terminology and techniques.
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK:
+ Edvard Munch, Norwegian, “Woman’s Head Against the Shore,” 1899. Woodcut printed in turquoise-green and pale and dark orange ink on off-white wove paper. Harvard Art Museums, 2021.261. © The Munch Museum / The Munch-Ellingsen Group / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. hvrd.art/o/343026.
+ Exhibition-“States of Play: Prints from Rembrandt to Delsarte”: harvardartmuse....
+ Discover more printmaking and artist demonstrations, featuring works from the Harvard Art Museums’ collections: • In The Artist Studio: ... .
---
Speaker: Christina Taylor, Assistant Paper Conservator, Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies Programs, Harvard Art Museums.
This video is part of our Art Talks series in which curators, conservators, fellows, and graduate students share short, informal videos that offer an up-close look at works from our collections.
--
Recorded June 14, 2021. © President and Fellows of Harvard College. Video: Christina Taylor. For questions related to permission for commercial use of this video, please contact the Department of Digital Imaging and Visual Resources at [e-mail].

[@christophermahon1851]

This is good stuff. The complexities are endless! Thank you for breaking it apart, as it were.

[@tomhughesma]

This is another wonderful video demonstration by Christina Taylor that perfectly presents and describes the jigsaw block printing process. Thank you!
Would you consider a white line demonstration at some point that might feature the work of Blanche Lazzell?

[@AnetteY11]

These are so useful for those trying to understand technique better (and learn more about how those who went before us worked) - thank you so much!

[@NickVenture1]

Thank you for explaining the art making process of this artist.

[@Gabi-zo8ob]

i hope she makes more videos!

[@maggiefreeman6513]

Absolutely fascinating. Thank you so much for this excellent demonstration and explanation.

[@dksculpture]

I know very little about printing …
Not exactly what I expected from the title … I thought it was going to be a single block puzzle; as if someone printed from a handmade, wooden jigsaw puzzle. 😂
This was an eye opener. Thanks!

[@jonathanbrennan6294]

These print demo videos are wonderful. One suggestion - I think you should name the artist in the videos’ titles. ‘Artist Christina Taylor demonstrating…’.

[@hansdieterreichert7747]

Enlightening. Very well explained and demonstrated. Thank you. 🤜🤛

[@dillenpeace5602]

awesome demonstration thank you. big fan of munch. the motorized press is crazy i love turning the big wheel

[@ryanboeding1318]

Nice work Christiana. Watching this makes me realize I could do something similar with some lino cuts that didn't come out right. I could cut out what I don't like and try to remake it then insert it back! Possibly.

[@jimhood1202]

I think your horizontally clamped block method would be how he did the cutting. It's much easier to see what you are doing and control the cuts (and keep them vertical). Silversmiths use a similar technique with a fork shaped support where there is no need for a clamp.

[@1Ma9iN8tive]

Appreciate this sharing of Munch’s process … wonderful results.

[@kingyo9783]

Thank You so much😍 🌷 I was wondered how these beautiful woodcuts of Munch were making

[@incirecelii]

Great demonstration. It is interesting to bring Carpentry and Painting + Printing together. I am more curious in the way and technique that Munch had. Thank you.

[@Michelle6998832]

I liked your prints better than the original. Thanks for the great workshop tutorial! ❤️

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

Excellent again. I'm really enjoying your presentations immensely. They are fascinating and insightful. :-)

[@graeme1528]

Your work is beautiful!

[@hotoilhands]

Wonderful video. Very interesting process. Thank you.

[@dansmith4984]

Another cracking video. Very informative 😇

[@harvartmuseums]

Glad you think so!

[@thestaz8564]

very helpful, thanks alot for your demo and video :)

[@r.mcd2921]

Terrific, thank you!

[@mattholdzkom5929]

Tricky registration when that corner of the block is missing! But somehow you pretty much nailed it.

[@lesmods69]

I saw this woodcut in a exposition call Munch “Cut in Wood” in Lugano in Switzerland, the print was close but not exactly like the right bottom version in the mosaic of 13:17. I was amazed. Now thanks to your video I understand how it was done. Thanks so much

[@harvartmuseums]

That is fascinating. Glad you hear that you enjoyed the demo.

[@albusdumbledore6578]

this video is simply amazing~

[@shelabreau7194]

That's really great

[@JoseVelez-dhumonio]

MOREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[@kitsutherland6445]

Is this the same as Japanese woodcut printing? Thanks for the incredibly clear explanation.

[@lp133126]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@MrMNRichardWright]

Honestly, I prefer your prints.

[@mono4171]

ngl i like Christina's versions better

[@AdamGeorge-pb3fm]

Was impressed by this woman from other videos. Less so now, that I see she is tatooed.

[@isabelghostwood4748]

So interesting, thank you. I like the wood grain!

[@lp133126]

🔥🔥🔥🔥