Berkshire's Shaker Village 1960's Woodblock Print

Description

At the forefront of this 1965 woodblock print, the Berkshires Shaker Village takes center stage. From left to right, the … more At the forefront of this 1965 woodblock print, the Berkshires Shaker Village takes center stage. From left to right, the Brick Dwelling, the Poultry House, the Round Stone Barn, and the Laundry & Machine Shop.Its architecture, with its clean lines and humble elegance, emerges from the monochrome tapestry. The sturdy wooden structures stand as testaments to the Shakers' unwavering devotion, emanating an aura of simplicity and grace. Norman Folger Dellert, with a delicate touch, infuses life into the print, allowing the viewer to feel the tranquil rhythm that once was everyday life. 14/50 pencil signed and titled "Shaker Village-Hancock Massachusetts".

Norman Folger Dellert was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in 1913. His art spanned woodcuts, watercolor, and pen and ink, among other media. At the age of 12, Dellert began his art career with pen-and-ink drawings. In 1961, after about 30 years as a watercolorist, he turned again to black and white, this time in woodcuts.

Dellert's early pen-and-ink work was displayed by Leslie Frost (daughter of poet Robert Frost) in the Open Book, her bookstore in Pittsfield. When Dellert was 14, Miss Frost sold one of his drawings.

Dellert graduated from the Pratt Institute and became an industrial designer; a designer of hand-wrought jewelry and such ecclesiastical articles as chalices; a watercolorist; and an artist in General Electric's Ordnance Department. He also freelanced and conducted classes and private instruction in graphic arts with the emphasis on the woodcut and its cousin, the linoleum block.

He exhibited with the Berkshire Art Association, Pittsfield Art League, Berkshire Art Center, Lenox Library, Great Barrington Art Show, Corner Gallery of the Berkshire Museum, Book Shelf and Tyringham Galleries, and Needle in the Haystack, among other exhibits. He also created the winning design for the Pittsfield-Berkshire bicentennial seal. less