Westminster, circa 1495.

Images restored by redrawing and printed by hand in open editions from zinc etched plates.

Westminster, circa 1495.

Images restored by redrawing and printed by hand in open editions from zinc etched plates.

"Michael and his angels won the victory over the dragon, which is to say Lucifer, and all his followers when he drove them out of Heaven. For when Lucifer sought to be equal to God, the Archangel Michael, standard-bearer of the heavenly host, came forward, and cast the rebels out of Heaven, imprisoning them in the dark regions of the air until the day of Judgement. They are not permitted to dwell in Heaven, which is the upper region of the air, and is bright and pleasant; nor with us on earth, lest they molest us excesively."

Text from The Golden Legend by Jacobus de Voraigne, born circa 1228

Open edition fine art replica print. Black ink only.

After a woodcut in the 1494 Lubeck Bible. Stone masons under the direction of an architect erect the Tower of Babel in 15th century style.

Limited edition (200) linoleum block print

Traditional Design

Open edition fine art replica print Green ink only

After a stone cutting, Pictish era, Scotland. The geomorph shows the coordinated inter-related complexities of the earth.

Limited edition (250) linoleum block print. Green ink only.

After stone cuttings, Pictish era The Four Orders of the World Stones (Geomorph) Humans (Anthropomorph) Animals (Zoömorph) Plants (Vine-scroll)

Limited edition (500, 2 ed) linoleum block print. Green ink only. No singles available.

After a woodcut, Germany, 1525

Limited edition (250) linoleum block print

France, 13th Century, just after the time of Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Open edition typography. Black ink only.

After a woodcut, England, 16th Century. Queen Elizabeth’s personal virtues are likened to the very structure of the universe. Since she was not the only claimant to the throne; during the early years of her reign artwork was produced that “justified” her right to rule.

Image restored by redrawing and printed by hand in an open edition from a zinc etched plate.

After a woodcut, Germany, 1522.

Limited edition (150) linoleum block print

From the Book of Kells, Ireland, circa 800 AD.
St Matthew - the Man (birth, humility).
St. Mark - the Lion (resurrection, courage).
St. Luke - the Calf (death, sacrifice).
St. John - the Eagle (ascension, grandeur).

Limited edition linoleum block prints shown hand colored and gilded. Single color print, call for amount. Green or Red ink only.

From the Book of Kells, Ireland, circa 800 AD.
Saint Matthew - the Man (birth, humility).

Limited edition linoleum block prints shown hand colored and gilded. Black or green ink only.

From the Book of Kells, Ireland, circa 800 AD.
Saint Mark - the Lion (resurrection, courage).

Limited edition linoleum block prints shown hand colored and gilded. Black or green ink only.

From the Book of Kells, Ireland, circa 800 AD.
Saint Luke - the Calf (death, sacrifice).

Limited edition linoleum block prints shown hand colored and gilded. Black or green ink only

From the Book of Kells, Ireland, circa 800 AD.
St. John - the Eagle (ascension, grandeur).

Limited edition linoleum block prints shown hand colored and gilded. Black or green ink only.

After a woodcut, in Emblemata Sacra by Jan Christoffel Jegher Antwerp, 1636.

Limited edition (250) linoleum block print

After a woodcut by Albrecht Durer, Germany, 1493.

Limited edition (150) linoleum block print

The Angel with two trumpets has good news to announce!

Limited edition serigraph from a hand-cut stencil after a drawing by Luca Cambiaso, Genoa 1527-1585. Blue or brown ink only. Shown hand colored.

After a woodcut by Albrecht Durer, Nuremberg, circa 1496. Conquest, War, Judgement, and Death. The scene illustrates the passage in The Revelation of Saint John wherein Judgement Day is prophecied. The first rider, on the white steed of conquest, is farthest to the right. The second rides the red roan horse of war, the third the black horse of famine. The fourth, closest to the viewer, rides the pale horse of death. These four were given authority over one quarter of the earth to kill with bow, sword, famine, plague and the wild beasts of the earth. This scene, and uncertain medieval security (when the sound of horses at night was the sound of an attack) illustrate why terrifying dreams have long been called “nightmares”.

Open edition fine art replica print. Black ink only.

After a drawing by Albrecht Durer, Germany, 1515.

Limited edition linoleum block print. Black, brown, or green ink only.

After a woodcut by Jost Amman, Framkfurt, 1568.
My Dear Kepler: What would you say of the learned here, who, replete with the pertinacity of the asp, have steadfastly refused to cast a glance through the telescope? What shall we make of all this? Shall we laugh or shall we cry? –Galileo Galilei

Open edition engraving. Black or blue ink only.

Limited edition serigraph from a hand-cut stencil after awoodcut in a bound Pentatuch, Germany, 13th Century. Black, brown, or green ink only.

After a woodcut in Johann Prüss' Buch der heiligen 3 Könige, Strassburg, circa 1480.

Limited edition (250) linoleum block print

England, 16th Century. Consisting of a single printed page overlaid with thin transparent horn and mounted on wood, the Elizabethan Hornbook was a child’s first primer. It taught the alphabet and elements of syllabication; it also included the Lord’s Prayer. Discipline was severe in Elizabethan schools, and the school day was unmercifully long, running from six or seven in the morning until five or six in the afternoon, six days per week.

Limited edition screen print (400) from a hand-cut stencil.

After a woodcut, Paris, 1504 Peace On Earth. The animals await the birth of Christ. See also Starry Night.

Limited edition (250) screen print from a hand-cut stencil.

“How the Maiden Came Before the King” After a woodcut in Vigiles de Charles VII, 1493.

Limited edition (250) linoleum block print. Shown hand colored

After an illumination, France, circa 1300.

Limited edition (200) linoleum block print

After a woodcut by Albrecht Durer, circa 1514.

Limited edition (250) linoleum block print

After a woodcut, Erfurt, 1539.

Limited edition (250) linoleum block print

Switzerland, circa 1500?
The itinerant scholar has climbed the mountain and discovered the mysteries of the universe. This wonderful design first appeared in L'Atmosphère Météorologie Populaire by Camille Flammarion in 1888 in which he announced his "discovery" of life on mars. It is a wonderful Renaissance hoax.

Limited third edition screen print from a hand-cut stencil. Black ink only.

Typeface designed by Geoffroy Tory, Paris, 1522-1529.

Open edition engraving. Red or green ink only.

After a woodcut in De Lamiis et pitonicis mulieribus, Germany, 15th Century.
Scholars have been re-examining the history of witchcraft. It appears that the phenomenon is significantly linked with broad based, pre-Christian beliefs and rituals. Inquisitors of the 15th century apparently distorted these myths from their coalesced fears of disasters such as sickness (especially plague and leprosy, the causes of which were unknown and thus subject to paranoia), riots (often originating from religious fervor), and heresy (sometimes prompted by the mere existence of Jews and Muslims).

Limited edition (200) linoleum block print.

After typography, Prague, 1566. "For the joyful resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Hallelujah. Sing all withgreat joy at this Easter time. Praise, then, your mighty God that He, His Son, has awakened from death. Hallelujah."

Image restored by redrawing and printed by hand in an open edition from a zincetched plate.

After an anonymous woodcut in La Mer des Histoires, Paris, 1536.
A Cathedral is depicted upon Noah's Ark. Noah and the dove's mate awaits its return while the lion and the lamb reside harmoniously.

Limited edition (250) linoleum block print.

After a woodcut, London, 1527.
Note: the image is not a perfect rectangle: this is faithful to the original.

Open edition engraving. Black ink only.

After a drawing by Albrecht Durer, Germany, 1515.

Limited edition screen print from a hand cut stencil. Black ink only.

© 2006 Allen Bjorkman

Image Size: 18 x 4
Matted Size: 23 x 9

After a woodcut by Albrecht Durer , Germany, 1514
Jerome (Eusebius Hieronymus), c.347-420, was a Father of the Church, whose great work was the translation of the Bible into Latin, the edition known as the Vulgate. According to legend, Jerome tamed a lion by removing a thorn from its paw, and the lion therfore often appears as his attribute in art. The lion depicted here is clearly no threat to the saint, suggesting his harmonious relationship achieved through solitary meditation, prayer, and penance.

Open edition offset reproduction. Black Tone ink only.

Image size: 17 x 13
Matted size: 23 x 18

United States, circa 1920.

Hand printed in an open edition from an antique copperplate engraving.

After a woodcut, France, 1497.
The bagpiper is pointing out the star that will lead them to Bethlehem.

Limited edition (200) linoleum block print.

After a chiaroscuro woodcut from two blocks by Ugo da Carpi from a design by Raphael of Urbino, Rome, 16th Century.
In classical mythology sibyls were female prophets whose ecstatic utterances were inspired by Apollo. The sibyl of Cumae was said to have offered Tarquineus Superbus, one of the later kings of Rome, nine books of prophesies on Rome’s destiny in return for half the king’s fortune. When he answered that the price was too high, she burned three books and offered him the other six at the same price. Finally, she burned three more, and he paid the original price for the remaining three. The Sibylline books were placed in the Temple of Jupiter on the CapitolineHill and consulted in times of emergency. Our modern libraries evolved from this building.

Limited edition (250) screen print from two hand-cut stencils.

The Seven Mortal and Venial Sins plus Other Real and Ridiculous Offences.

Open edition typography

After an illumination in Le Conte del Graal by Chretien de Troyes, France, 1286.

Sir Percival is depicted along with Sir Galahad and Sir Bors. This collection of the Arthurian legends contains the earliest extant reference to the quest for the Holy Grail.

Limited edition linoleum block print. Black ink only.

Image Size: 6-1/2" x 6"
Matted Size: 11-1/2" x 12"

After a woodcut, Paris, 1504 (see also In Terra Pax).

Limited edition (250) screen print from a hand-cut stencil.

After an engraving designed by Peter Bruegel, executed by Pieter van der Heyden, and published by Hieronymus Cock in Antwerp, 1556.
St. Anthony represents saintly strength; he is neither cast down nor distracted by the temptations. He derives his fortitude from the teachings and songs of David, who is depicted in the hollow of the tree. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” Psalm 33 (Vulgate) verse 19.

Open edition replica print. Black ink only.

After a drawing in Melstad1s Edda, Iceland, 1765-66.

"Thor rows out with the Giant Hymir and pulls up the Midgard Serpent and purposefully strikes it with his hammer Mjollinar, just as the story says."

Thor's Fishing Trip

According to Norse tradition the World Serpent (Jormungandr) was one of three monstrous children of Loki (the trickster god) and the giantess Angrboda. The serpent grew at an alarming rate and the gods threw him into the sea. In the depths of the ocean the serpent continued to grow until he encircled the earth and lay with his tail in his mouth. The Edda reads:

"Thor disguised himself as a young boy and paid a visit to the Giant Hymir. During Thor1s stay Hymir decided to go on a fishing trip. Thor wanted to go with him and Hymir reluctantly agreed providing that his guest find his own bait. Thor found Hymir's biggest ox and pulled its head off.

They both set out to sea in Hymir's fishing boat. Thor rowed out too far and Hymir began to panic in case the Midgard Serpent should attack them. Thor got out the ox1s head, fastened it to a sturdy hook and hurled it over the side. The serpent took the bait straight away and pulled back in fury as the hook bit into its mouth. Thor exerted his divine strength, his feet reaching to the bottom of the sea, and drew the writhing serpent up to the boat. Fearing for his life Hymir cut the line allowing the serpent to escape. Thor threw his hammer at the retreating serpent1s head but missed. Furious, he knocked Hymir into the sea.

The serpent sank into the sea. But Thor threw his hammer after it, and they say that he struck off its head by the sea-bed. But I (Snorri Sturluson) think in fact the contrary is correct to report to you that the Midgard Serpent lives still and lies in the encircling sea."

Limited edition linoleum block print. Black ink only

After a woodcut, Paris, 1492.
The priest brings together a couple in holy matrimony as God brought Adam and Eve together.

Image restored by redrawing and printed by hand in an open edition from a zinc etched plate.

After a woodcut, Germany, circa 1490.
The Angel turns the heavens at the will of God about the Earth. At the ascendancy is Mars (warfare), followed by Jupiter (kingship), Venus (love), Mercury (creativity, medicine), the Moon (lunacy), Saturn (labor), and Jupiter (knowledge). A planet’s characteristic is imposed at birth depending on its location.

Image unrestored but printed by hand in an open edition from a zinc etched plate.