The awe-inspiring grasslands of Mongolia are a popular subject for Mongolian printmaking.
Print making is a relatively new art form in Mongolia. Mongolian artists have only been making lithographic prints for about the last 50 years. In Mongolia most artists make lithographic prints from woodblock engravings, depicting scenes from everyday life, the grasslands and romantic scenes with vibrant colors. Although the printmaking tradition is young in Mongolia, there exists a rich diversity of artistic style and works of stunning quality.
Instructions
1. Study books of Mongolian art history and of current Mongolian printmaking artists. Classic Mongolian artistic themes include ornate ornamental patterns and images of nature. Identify the recurring themes that make up the Mongolian artistic tradition and notice how modern printmakers apply them to their art. Familiarize yourself with the styles and works of specific modern Mongolian artists so you can recall them as a reference when assessing other prints.
2. Check the lithographic print to see if the artist dated the work. Mongolian printmaking began around 1949; if the date on the print is within the last 50 to 60 years and the picture contains themes from the Mongolian artistic tradition, then it might be a Mongolian lithographic print.
3. Look for energetic pictures, strong lines and color contrasts in the print. These features comprise part of a style some Mongolian artists apply to their work. The artists who work in this style use many dark, heavy lines to create their subjects, which are energetic in nature, like a hunter or a horse or a dancer.
4. Look for scenes of simple rural life. This is another major theme in Mongolian printmaking. Artists depict images of the grassland landscapes of Mongolia or of townspeople enjoying simple pleasures, like eating or drinking, bathing in a scenic river and watching a sunset. Look for contrasting colors such as red houses in green fields, colorful skies over green-blue grass, and brightness in the faces and bodies of people and a dark background.
5. Notice heroic and romantic representations of classic Mongolian lore. Mongolian artists like to create scenes featuring majestic horses and Genghis Kahn, a heroic leader who united the Mongolian tribes in ancient times. Other common elements of this style include eagles soaring over open grasslands and heavy storms and wind dramatically disturbing the grasslands.
