Continuing our discussion of early printmaking, this week we are focusing on the history of engraving in Northern Europe.

We are highlighting the very beginning of printmaking from its origins in the 15th century. First up is the history of the woodcut.

In 1946 the first edition of Derrière Le Miroir was published by Maeght Gallery in Paris. Translating to Behind the Mirror, it was a French magazine that was issued in conjunction with exhibitions at the gallery. It was, however, much more than just an exhibition catalog -- it was also a review, and included critiques, articles and poems by leading French thinkers. Also of note were the lithographs and etchings that were issued loose leaf throughout the catalog by Maeght Gallery artists, which included Ellsworth Kelly, Alexander Calder and Joan Miro. These unsigned and unnumbered prints have become collector’s items in their own right.

A highschool dropout who dreamt of being an artist, June Wayne left a lasting impact on the tradition of printmaking in America. While her name might not have the impact that some other American women artists of the 20th century have, she is remembered for her contributions to the study of lithography and her role in helping women artists gain presence in America.

Often viewed as the father of art history, Giorgio Vasari published The Lives of Artists in 1550 and offered the first detailed depiction of the lives of Renaissance artists. Now, over four-hundred-fifty years later he is the subject of a new biography titled The Collector of Lives, which details the life and influence the artist and writer had on the historiography of the history of art and also positions him as a successful artist in his own right.

When taking any art history course the point of departure is often the Caves of Lascaux: a series of Paleolithic cave paintings known for their size and sophistication. They were painted approximately 17,000 years ago by the Neanderthals, and became UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1979. They are considered to be one of, if not the, earliest form of visual expression and help scholars in answering the question: when did art begin?