April Energy/Twin Pear Trees,, (1982 and undated)

Lubell 7/12: 276a-f

Six woodblock prints of the same scene: a depiction of only a part of a large, sprawling tree. The bottom and top borders cut off most of its trunk and part of its canopy, respectively. Instead of a series of dot and line patterns, depth and detail are made through a diverse number of sizes for small geometric figures representing the openings between the leaves. The tree itself is very elaborate, with significant curvature and undulation of its branches. Printed on very thin rice paper, Lubell 276a, b and d only use black ink, which along with its style of sheet gives it a feel of classic Japanese prints. Of these three, 276a and b are titled April Energy and signed Winifred Milius Lubell – 1982, while 276d is titled April Energy – Pear Tree Series III and is signed, but not dated. Printed on somewhat heavier paper, Lubell 276c has white-out and chalk covering unwanted lines, is titled Twin Pear Trees, signed Winifred Lubell 1982 and identified as a proof. By contrast, Lubell 276e and f are printed on heavier blue paper in color: brown for the trunk and branches, green leaves, and a series of yellow splotches that may represent sunlight pouring through. Woodblock is titled Pear Tree (Lubell 475, Box 33). See also print in Box 6, Untitled, Lubell 6/13: 101.

276a, b, d – similarly sized, approximately 38.2 x 47.3 cm

276c – 40.8 x 54.6 cm

276e – 35.8 x 50 cm

276f – 40 x 50 cm