Americana and the Bible: Prints by Charles E. Burchfield and J.J. Lankes

Woodcuts and wood engravings were commonly used to illustrate books before the advent of photographic reproduction. They usually depicted allegorical stories, portraits, landscapes, and scenes of everyday life. The medium was particularly popular during the first part of the twentieth century. The medium was less costly to produce than paintings and consequently prints were more affordable for collectors. 

Charles E. Burchfield and Julius J. Lankes (known as J.J.) collaborated during the early 1920s on four Biblical prints and six prints that illustrate small town America. Burchfield would draw a design on a block and Lankes would engrave and print it. This exhibition combines their prints, related works in other media, and examples of Burchfield's etchings and lithography for comparison of styles and subjects.