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The Void

Print
1924 (published)
Artist/Maker
Nonesuch Press (publisher)
Nash, Paul (artist)
Place of origin
London (published)

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
Christianity
Woodcuts
Object type
Print
TitleThe Void (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Wood engraving on paper
Printing Ink
Paper
Woodcut
Wood Engraving
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
  • Height: 39.8cm
  • Width: 28.6cm
Style
Modernist
Production typeArtist's proof
Copy number
Plate one from a set of twelve illustrating the Book of Genesis
Marks and inscriptions
  • Paul Nash 1924 (Signature; date; pencil)
  • edition 12. set 5. (Maker's identification; pencil)
  • Geneis The Void (Maker's identification; pencil)
  • Set 5 of 5 sets (Unknown)
Gallery label
(August 2019)
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.
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
Creation
Genesis
Literary referenceThe 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
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
E.4756-1960

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Record createdDecember 10, 2002
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O71828/the-void-print-nash-paul/
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