Can you read old handwriting? Need info about these woodcut blocks.

I always have problems reading old style hand writing. Can somebody maybe read the label and maybe the artist name. Thx in advance. I always thought a artist destroyed these after he finishes printed his works? Well a respected artist would I guess.

 

Etching on ??? (I thought is said Charcoal) Block

Subject

Danger at Dinner

 

? on burned wood...no..I think you were correct (just had a second look)

 

etching on charcoal wood ?

 

So we don't all need Physical Therapy!!!!!!........BTW, we had a donkey that an artist did a woodcut of, sold many prints of, and when she was finished, asked Mom if she wanted to buy the original woodcut.....that was a no-brainer!!!! Of Course she did!!!!!!! I think both are TERRIFIC to own!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My guess so far....is "Etching on Church Wood".....BWDIK!!!!! Is there something on EACH of them?????

 

I think it's an 'Etching on Charred Wood', and was always intended as the art itself rather than for printmaking. Something caustic would have been used to etch through the charred top, revealing a lighter surface, the etched wood has darkened with age, lessening the contrast...

~Cheryl

 

Charred, maybe?

 

I agree with Cheryl, and I am too slow today!

 

Did a little hunting around to see what might have been used to etch the wood without burning it (looks like there's also some carving in addition to the etching), but didn't have much luck in a cursory search. Was thinking of when I've used oxalic acid to bleach wood, but don't think it would eat into the wood?

Did find these references to a couple of etchings on charred wood at an 1866-67 exhibition in Melbourne: https://books.google.com/books?id=TjGYFrzt8FYC&pg=PA153&lpg=PA153&dq=%22etching+on+charred+wood%22&source=bl&ots=6H5es-x4uH&sig=TM_J1Ge-UFqwP7wVA4YvFssCkF0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi5kfm2zNfXAhXBneAKHUDRD-EQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=%22etching%20on%20charred%20wood%22&f=false

~Cheryl

 

The second one appears to have initials in the lower left corner, partly hidden by the frame. Otherwise, I don't see any indication of who the artist was.

 

That middle word I suppose could be "subject" but the first letter looks more like an "L" to me so maybe the artist's name?

 

Etching on Charred Wood Subject: Danger at Dinner

 

i'm just not seeing charred....

 

If these were used for printing, the ink would have left more staining on the wood. I think the carving into the wood to reveal the lighter areas, is the "etching" and not used for printing.

 

i see charred also,could just mean he took a torch to it after , i have done that to wood before.