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The Division of Light and Darkness

Printing Block
1924 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In this wood engraved block Paul Nash (1889–1946) has literally represented the subject matter by dividing the block into light and dark tones and engraving the design in opposing tones, swapping light for dark as he crosses over the divide. Nash uses a combination of white and black line techniques producing a luminous image that perfectly reflects the subject matter.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Division of Light and Darkness (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Engraved wood block
Brief description
Wood-engraved printing block. Paul Nash, the Division of Light and Darkness from Genesis, published by Nonesuch Press, London, 1924; British.
Physical description
Wood-engraved block depicting the division the light and the dark from Genesis, comprising a series of lines, diagonally demarcated with one half of the block lighter than the other.
Dimensions
  • Length: 11.43cm
  • Height: 8.89cm
  • Depth: 2.1cm
Taken from Victoria & Albert Museum Department of Prints and Drawings and Department of Paintings Accessions 1960 and 1961 London: HMSO 1964
Style
Production typeLimited edition
Marks and inscriptions
light & darkness (hand-written on the back)
Literary referenceHoly Bible: Old Testament: Genesis 1:4
Summary
In this wood engraved block Paul Nash (1889–1946) has literally represented the subject matter by dividing the block into light and dark tones and engraving the design in opposing tones, swapping light for dark as he crosses over the divide. Nash uses a combination of white and black line techniques producing a luminous image that perfectly reflects the subject matter.
Associated object
E.4764-1960 (Impression)
Bibliographic reference
Victoria and Albert Museum Department of Prints and Drawings and Department of Paintings Accessions 1960 and 1961 London: HMSO, 1964
Collection
Accession number
E.5180-1960

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
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