Woodblocks

Woodblock with colors, image size 9 3/8 x 6 inches, 20th Century, unknown seal l.l., framed.

A quiet nocturnal scene, this color woodblock measures 9 x 13 3/8 inches, published c. 1930s. There is an artist signature stamp in the image, but we have been unable to identify it.

This is a cool diptych woodblock print depicting the process of cider making by American WPA artist Helen West Heller. The image size is 6 1/2 x 11 1/4 inches, 1939, pencil signed, dated and titled. Helen West Heller was primarily a self-taught artist, working several mediums before turning exclusively to linoleum and wood block prints. She was known for her expressive, slightly abstracted images that often incorporated a distinct sense of geometric patterns.

This woodblock print by Torii Kiyonaga measures 9 1/2 x 7 inches. It is signed, sealed and titled within the image. Kiyonaga was one of the great masters of the full-color print depicting courtesans, beautiful women and Kabuki actors. Head of the Torii school, he excelled with "bijin-ga" (beautiful women) prints and these were considered to be his best works.

Woodcut, image size 9 x 12 inches, pencil signed and titled.

Woodblock, image size: 15 3/4 x 10 1/2 inches, published by Uchida, publishers mark lower left

Woodblock with colors, image size 7 1/4 x 9 3/8 inches, artist's stamp, l.r.

This is a great original woodblock in colors by American artist Helen Hyde. The image size is 13 1/4 x 5 1/8 inches, published in 1914, cat: Mason & Mason-119, pencil signed, housed in a signed and dated, gilt, art deco frame; "Thulin", 1921. Helen Hyde grew up in California but traveled widely throughout her life. She studied at the Art Students League in New York from 1888-1889, then traveled throughout Europe for four years. While in Paris, she was first exposed to the Japanese style of woodblock prints, which captured her imagination and greatly influenced her entire career.

Color woodblock, image size 13 9/16 x 10 13/16 in, signed in pen lower left

Color woodblock, oban, Hiroshige II (Rissho)