The Derelict, or the Lost Boat

From the Cleveland Museum of Art record

The American artist Arthur Wesley Dow was an influential teacher, emphasizing the study of line, color, and form rather than direct observation from nature. Works such as this print, which depicts an abandoned rowboat, were inspired by Dow’s admiration for the flattened style of Japanese prints. He experimented by inking his woodblock with different combinations of color, often resulting in virtually unique impressions. Dow inked his woodblock with different colors each time he printed, resulting in unique variations of the same image.