Explore our range of fine art woodcut prints for sale. Woodcut printing is a form of relief printing in which the artist carves or cuts images or patterns into a wooden block. Ink is then applied to the surface of the woodblock and transferred to paper or canvas. The areas of the wood that are cut away don’t transfer any ink, leaving a pattern.
Our online gallery has been curated to show a variety of contemporary woodcut print styles and subject matter. Be sure to use our search tool to narrow down your search to the exact type of woodcut print you’re looking for.
You can, for example, explore our collection of Expressionist woodcut prints, which use the relief and high contrast of the medium to evoke dynamic, emotional scenes.
On the other hand, our realistic woodcut prints demonstrate high levels of technicality and ingenuity – creating atmospheric prints with almost photographic accuracy.
The History of Woodcut Printmaking and Famous Woodcut Artists
Traditional woodcut printmaking techniques were first developed in China, in order to reproduce Buddhist texts. Woodcut printing later became highly developed in Japan, particularly during the Edo period. The Japanese woodblock print, or ukiyo-e, became famous for its detailed depictions of landscapes, kabuki actors, and scenes of urban life. Katsushika Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa (1831), is perhaps the most famous contribution of this period.
Woodcut printing arrived in Europe in the late Middle Ages, initially used to create religious icons. During the Northern Renaissance, artists like Albrecht Dürer elevated woodcut to a fine art form in Europe, creating intricate, detailed images. Dürer’s The Four Horsemen (1498), exemplifies the way woodcuts were developed to explore complex themes and narratives, often with a high level of detail and craftsmanship.
After a decline due to the development of more advanced printing techniques, the practice saw a revival in the emotionally charged works of the German Expressionists. Woodcut prints by modern artists used the fraught act of carving into wood as a technique to demonstrate intense emotion. This is notable in Emil Nolde’s haunting portrait of suffering The Prophet (1912) and the socially impactful work of Käthe Kollwitz, such as The Widow (1921).
You can see German Expressionist influence in our unique collection of limited edition woodcut prints by Tracey Emin, such as Untitled (Embrace) (1984), which evokes a deep yearning for emotional connection.
Woodcut Prints for Sale on Rise Art
Discover a variety of contemporary woodcut prints in our online gallery.
Canadian artist Mychael Barratt creates woodcut prints inspired by literature and art history. A tribute to the artist and activist Derek Jarman can be seen in Dungeness (2022), which features Jarman watering the celebrated garden of his Kent home. Barratt creates a contemporary twist on the woodcut medium with this vibrant, affectionate print.
For a more abstract perspective, you can explore the work of Paris-based artist Rong Guo, who is known for her surreal dreamscapes. Prints like Sinking 2 show a connection to the intricate detail and evocative narrative of artists such as Dürer, while newly-developed printing techniques allow for fantastical washes of delicate colour.
