Artifex

Widely recognized as a major figure in twentieth-century American art, Leonard Baskin embodied the essence of the artifex (Latin for “creator”) in blending the roles of master craftsman, artisan, and artist. His sculptures, prints, books, and drawings can be found in the collections of nearly every major research library and art museum. Among his many commissions were a thirty-foot long bas-relief for the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C., and a Holocaust Memorial statue, erected on the site of the first Jewish cemetery in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Although he is best known as a sculptor, Baskin had a lifelong passion for collecting, illustrating, designing, and printing books. His favorite subjects included notable figures from the history of art and bookmaking, natural history, the Bible, and mythology.

A cornerstone of Cornell University Library’s book arts collection, Baskin’s books represent the apex of contemporary letterpress printing. The exhibition features books and fine prints from Baskin’s private press, the Gehenna Press, including wood engravings, woodcuts, and etchings. A collection of Baskin’s own working materials, lent by his wife, Lisa Unger Baskin, enhances this exhibition. These unique sketches, wood blocks, and proofs provide a rare glimpse into the creative process, and illustrate the physical and conceptual construction of books from cover to cover.

The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art is also featuring the exhibition, Earthbound Flight: Winged Creatures in the Art of Leonard Baskin, until November 2, 2003. This is the first time that Cornell’s library and art museum have mounted tandem exhibitions.

Background

Baskin grew up in Brooklyn, New York, the son of a rabbi. His religious upbringing and early education at a yeshiva had a profound effect on his aesthetic sensibilities. While studying at Yale University from 1941 to 1943, the young artist developed a great enthusiasm for the art of letterpress printing. He not only learned the centuries-old craft of letterpress printing, but founded the Gehenna Press, which he proceeded to develop into a small private press that still produces beautifully crafted books today. Baskin illustrated most of those books, and served as the press's chief designer and producer. Among the best-known Gehenna Press books are those on which Baskin collaborated with noted poets, such as Ted Hughes and Archibald MacLeish. This exhibition highlights many of those artistic partnerships along with Baskin's interest in the craft and history of making books.

Ephemera

Baskin's interest in books extended to collecting. For books in his family's extensive library, Baskin created these charming book stamps for three of their residences. The artist was fond of collecting and creating ephemera.