The Witch Cypress by William Seltzer Rice

The Witch Cypress by William Seltzer Rice

The Witch Cypress

William Seltzer Rice

Title

The Witch Cypress

 
Artist
Year
c. 1925  
Technique
color woodcut 
Image Size
8 1/2 x 4 7/8" image 
Signature
pencil, lower right 
Edition Size
12 or fewer, each printed uniquely. 
Annotations
titled in pencil, lower left 
Reference
 
Paper
antique-white laid Japanese 
State
published 
Publisher
artist 
Inventory ID
20784 
Price
SOLD
Description

This color woodcut is also known as "The Witch Tree." This is a very painterly color woodcut as the brush strokes are visible from the artist painting the colors onto his blocks rather than applying them with a roller, which would have resulted in broad flat areas of color. In working in this manner, Rice created unique impressions within his very limited edition.

The "Witch Tree" was located on the Pebble Beach, California famous 17 Mile Drive. It, along with the "Ostrich Tree" and the "Lone Cypress" were highlights along the Drive. The "Ostrich" came down in a storm in 1916 and the "Witch Tree" came down in the 1960s. The "Lone Cypress" is the only one standing.