Jacques Hnizdovsky Owl, 1974 Artist's Proof 7/8

Updated August 8, 2026

Original woodcut on paper An original woodcut by celebrated Ukrainian-American printmaker Jacques Hnizdovsky, depicting a stylized owl perched on a branch. Executed in 1974, the composition exemplifies the artist's mastery of relief printmaking through its intricate geometric patterning, rhythmic line work, and striking balance of positive and negative space. Pencil titled "Owl," dated 1974, signed by the artist, and inscribed A.P. 7/8 (Artist's Proof), indicating one of a very small number of proofs printed in addition to the regular edition. Presented in a black frame with cream and gilt matting. Image: approximately 9.5 x 7.5 in. Frame: 14 x 11 in. Artist Biography Jacques Hnizdovsky (1915–1985) was a Ukrainian-born American printmaker, painter, illustrator, and sculptor whose meticulously crafted woodcuts rank among the finest relief prints of the twentieth century. After studying at the Academies of Fine Arts in Warsaw and Zagreb, he emigrated to the United States in 1949, where he developed an international reputation for his highly detailed depictions of birds, animals, trees, and botanical subjects. His work blends influences from Japanese ukiyo-e prints, Renaissance engraving, and Eastern European folk traditions into a distinctive modern graphic style. Hnizdovsky's prints are represented in the permanent collections of major institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Library of Congress, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Yale University Art Gallery. His original signed woodcuts remain highly sought after by collectors, with comparable bird subjects from the early 1970s typically offered by specialist dealers in the US$850–1,800 range depending on rarity, edition, and condition.

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