Renowned for his colossal woodcuts in the 1950s, Leonard Baskin’s artistic stint spanned the grandeur of the twentieth century, marking his eminence as a sculptor, printmaker, illustrator, and book-maker. This remarkable versatility, however, poses a challenge for the masses to grasp Baskin’s artistic eminence as a cohesive entity. Not only did he delve into a myriad of forms of art with unwavering commitment, but he also crafted self-contained cycles and series that were commonly exhibited or published.
A Macy’s demonstration on sculpting breathed new life into Baskin’s aspirations when he was a mere fourteen years old. The young boy returned home with five pounds of plasticine clay, determined to become a sculptor. Through the years, Baskin lived up to his teenage dream and garnered recognition for his sculptures. His illustrious works include sculptures commissioned for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C. and the Holocaust Memorial in Ann Arbor, Michigan. However, his parallel success as a printmaker, typographer, and printer makes it challenging to categorize Baskin into a single, defined niche.
Each of Baskin’s creations reflects a mastermind with an extensive range of visual and literary vocabularies. His multi-faceted talents also manifest in the variety of subjects he depicts, often revisiting similar themes. Baskin’s affinity for Old Testament tales, unsurprising, given his upbringing as the son of an orthodox rabbi, is only one aspect of his diverse repertoire. Greek mythology, predatory birds, Native Americans, and personifications of death and the afterlife also feature prominently in Baskin’s extensive catalogue of works. A deep-rooted sense of social consciousness and humanity binds the seemingly disparate pieces that grace Baskin’s body of work.
www.ftn-books.com has several Baskin titles available.
