Leonard Baskin: Pictor Ignotus

Wood engraving on paper. 1969.

Leonard Baskin. American. 1922-2000.

"In printmaker Leonard Baskin’s portfolio Laus Pictorum. Portraits of Nineteenth-Century Artists, he includes the Pictor Ignotus, or the Latin term used for “unknown artist.” While this may refer to poet and innovative printmaker William Blake (English, 1757-1827), it could also reference Robert Browning’s (English, 1812-1889) poem, or simply be a stand-in for the many artists we still do not know the names of.

While Baskin may be directly alluding to these works, he might also be making a general statement for those skilled artists who remain unknown or obscure today through the silhouetted outline of a head full of abstracted lines, marks, and scratches." reference

This artwork was stored in an archival environment since acquisition. In 2024, the frederic gallery framed this piece in-house in high quality, archival materials and crafted wood frame.

This untitled wood engraving by Leonard Baskin was printed from the original woodblock on Japanese paper with the artist's permission. 

Leonard Baskin's reputation is firmly established in many fields; he is widely known as a sculptor and draughtsman; he is a skilled writer and speaker; he is devoted to the art of the book, has worked as a graphic designer and illustrator for his own Gehenna Press, and has exhibited an unequaled skill as a wood engraver. 

Unframed editions are also available.