The Void
Print
1924 (published)
1924 (published)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Paul Nash (1889-1946) is known not only as a painter but also as an illustrator and designer. In fact, his original choice of profession was 'illustrator' rather than painter. During the First World War he was an official war artist and gained a reputation for visionary landscapes. His illustrative prints, such as the 'Genesis' series, continued this line of poetic interpretation. His sense of design, as well as his choice of medium (woodcut was favoured for black and white illustration), influenced the formal qualities of his printmaking.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Void (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Wood engraving on paper |
| Brief description | Paul Nash, The Void from Genesis, a volume with twelve wood engravings, published by Nonesuch Press, 1924 |
| Physical description | print on paper |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Production type | Artist's proof |
| Copy number | Plate one from a set of twelve illustrating the Book of Genesis |
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Gallery label | Rich in abstraction and symbolism, Nash’s Genesis book illustrations were startlingly modern for their time. Nash gradually introduced more lines into his woodblocks – moving from a few marks in ‘The Void’ to vigorous cross hatching in ‘The Sun and Moon’. The contrast between the black and white lines created the effect of light emanating from the page, reflecting the biblical story of God’s creation of the world.(August 2019) |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Margaret Nash, widow of the Artist. |
| Production | Attribution note: This print is inscribed in pencil 'edition 12. set 5.' but it is one of only two proofs taken, it is the working proof, the final state is in the British Museum. The '12' may refer to the number of illustrations to the published work. The V&A also possesses the original block. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Literary reference | The Bible: Genesis |
| Summary | Paul Nash (1889-1946) is known not only as a painter but also as an illustrator and designer. In fact, his original choice of profession was 'illustrator' rather than painter. During the First World War he was an official war artist and gained a reputation for visionary landscapes. His illustrative prints, such as the 'Genesis' series, continued this line of poetic interpretation. His sense of design, as well as his choice of medium (woodcut was favoured for black and white illustration), influenced the formal qualities of his printmaking. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.4756-1960 |
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| Record created | December 10, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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