Artist Demonstrating Picasso’s Reduction Linocut Technique

Conservator and printmaker Christina Taylor demonstrates the reduction linocut printing technique pioneered by artist Pablo Picasso and master printer Hidalgo Arnéra to create the vibrant print “Jacqueline with Glossy Hair,” 1962. Taking us into her printmaking studio, Taylor unveils the layers of creative revision, correction, and adjustment behind the finished print.

Central to this process is the concept of a “print state,” which traditionally refers to a version of a print that precedes the final product. By tracing how artists move step by step to painstakingly rework and refine their images, we can explore how artists across time have maximized the iterative potential of states, for reasons ranging from the practical to the whimsical.

This suite of progressive prints from Picasso's “Jacqueline with Glossy Hair,” 1962, will be on view at the Harvard Art Museums in the exhibition “States of Play: Prints from Rembrandt to Delsarte,” from September 4, 2021–January 2, 2022. By decoding creative choices that the artist pursued or abandoned in each successive step, the exhibition helps uncover the full breadth of experimentation and demystifies printmaking terminology and techniques.

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Speaker: Christina Taylor, Assistant Paper Conservator, Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies Programs, Harvard Art Museums.

This video is part of our Art Talks series in which curators, conservators, fellows, and graduate students share short, informal videos that offer an up-close look at works from our collections.

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[winstonsmith]

You are gifted both in your ability to print and to teach. Every word was important. No blabla, slow enough to having time to digest. This - for me - is the best film on youtube. You should be proud of it! Thank you very much

[livinginkonahawaii]

By far one of the best and most concise tutorials on reduction linocut techniques. To have the "print state" suite just adds to the value of this lesson. Mahalo Christina!

[hopesmith]

I've watched a lot of reduction linocut how-tos and yours is head and shoulders above the rest! I'm off to try it myself tomorrow, feeling a bit more confident after watching this! Thanks!

[mattsajmon]

Mesmerising! Singe most informative and charismatically delivered reduction videos on YT. Now, I understand it. Thanks!

[ozdigg]

Christina Taylor thank you. You are a superb teacher. It's so easy to learn and understand with you.

[embush]

You simplified perfectly. I might add, as someone without a beautiful press, a heavy book overnight might be a way to try this out. I'm just getting into printing, and look forward to trying this method! Thank you so much. You have shared great quality with us.

[furbabyfineart]

That was the best how to video I've ever seen. Thank you!!!!

[tomhughesma]

The best explanation and demonstration of reduction linocut printing I've found. Absolutely perfect.

[AdrianaCordovez]

By far the best demonstration of reduction lino print Ive seen ever...thank you so much for sharing...very eloquent and easy to follow...Bravo! 👏👏

[tiffanyinman]

yowzaaaah! Thank you for taking the time to do this demonstration the right way. Well done.

[patriciabevan]

I'm getting addicted to lino cuts - this is a fantastic demonstration thank you - like those below im looking forward to trying this.

[IronEarthDesigns]

FYI I have watched this video at least 15 times. I'm actually trying to do this technique now. I think you explained it really well, so me watching it multiple times is about my learning curve. But it is really hard to find a step by step tutorial on reduction printmaking. This is really clear, and I appreciate it. I've just had trouble with paper, ink, carving, so I keep coming back to it because I am going to do this! Also Picasso was my first art love. I was very "off" him for a while due to his ...bad boyfriend status. 😂 Still you never forget your first ...😢

[ShaqKoyokArt]

Learn new things. Amazing technique. Thanks for sharing this.

[carolynmckee]

Oh my gosh. The precision of the registration! Beautiful and fascinating! Thank you!

[girliedog]

I really enjoyed this and learned a lot. Best part is when the editions done it's over.

[guynouri]

Excellent reproduction of the progressive cut out method. Cheers

[ni]

You're great. I will project a similar thing before my exam in 29th July. Thanks 4 your demonstration.

[kingyo]

Thank You for professional explanation of Picasso's technik of reduction's linocut😍

[guynouri]

And thank you for all your effort. I learned from my teacher 50 years ago and no one has really done it clearly

[HigherGroundWeldingPA]

This was so thorough without being extra wordy and detailed! Thank you for the brevity and beautiful print.