Bernard Brussel-Smith , Danse Macabre No. 9

Written by NEHMA's Staff member Ali Snow

October 31, 2014

This engraving comes from a series of 10 separate prints, depicting his return to life after two near-fatal bouts of illness. The image of a bearded prophet, seen here, became a personal motif for Brussel-Smith.

Wood engraving is a cerebral art form, where texture and tone is carefully created by carving lines of varying length and width into an end grain piece of wood and not by the whims of brush work or sketching. Brussel-Smith enjoyed the challenge and restraint, and he expanded the use of wood engraving beyond editorial art into advertising.