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William Wolff
Prometheus, by William Wolff

1987

$600
£455.35
€524.50
CA$857.41
A$940.99
CHF 485.30
MX$11,240.85
NOK 6,149.61
SEK 5,762.47
DKK 3,917.03

About the Item

Wolff’s woodcut of the mythological figure of Prometheus is carved and printed in only two strong colors—black and a fiery red-orange—yet the impact is monumental. The central figure strides forward with heavy, angular legs, its body a dense, with a mass of black cross-hatching and curving lines. These carved textures suggest both musculature and an almost volcanic inner energy. The head and arm blaze with orange, abstracted into near-circular and flame-like shapes, while one extended arm arcs overhead, holding what seems to be a wisp of fire rendered as a curling flame. The figure’s sheer weight and thrusting motion convey determination and burden, as though Wolff has captured the mythological titan in the act of carrying fire away from the gods. Rather than naturalism, Wolff uses simplification and exaggeration—a hallmark of his printmaking—to give Prometheus a raw, archetypal power. The angular stance, claw-like hand, and swirl of flame balance between human and elemental force. In the collection of the Oakland Museum of California Art. Signed proof copy from edition of unknown size. Most of Wolff's prints were done in very small numbers, and each was often unique. William Wolff lived his entire life in San Francisco, coming of age at the beginning of World War II, he was a close friend and colleague of several artists of the Bay Area Figurative Movement, sharing a studio with James Weeks for several years. His woodcuts were rarely done in editions, and usually only survive as proofs, each unique from the others. Wolff’s work frequently employs solid blocks of color and simplified forms. The overall impact is more about mood and composition rather than realistic textures—his use of color would aim to evoke atmosphere and structure more than fine detail. A retrospective of his work was held at St. Mary’s College in Moraga in 2002. His work is in several private and public collections, including the Achenbach Collection at the Legion of Honor, The Whitney Museum of American Art, the New York Public Library, the Oakland Museum of California and the Library of Congress.
  • Creator:
  • Creation Year:
    1987
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 30.25 in (76.84 cm)Width: 21 in (53.34 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Palm Springs, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU308216839242

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