Blanche Lazzell woodcuts on display at Elvehjem

Born in West Virginia, Blanche Lazzell (1878-1956) is known as one of the earliest American interpreters of abstract art, particularly through color woodcuts.

A selection of Lazzell’s many prints in vivid colors will be displayed at the Elvehjem Museum of Art through Nov. 2. The prints, prized examples of an artist whose inventive works were made during 40 years, are sought by collectors today.

Of great interest are the woodblocks that Lazzell kept and printed from as the demand arose. This enabled her to produce impressions of varying colors and intensities. These vibrant colors and the nature of her designs share a commonality with Matisse.

Lazzell, a well-educated and well-traveled young woman, banded together with other artists to form the Provincetown Printmakers. Influenced by Japanese prints, the group adopted a collective focus on creating prints exclusively by color woodcut. Some of the most innovative prints of the early 20th century were created by these artists in Provincetown.