New Books in History Holly EJ Black, "The Story of Printmaking: A Global History of Art" (Yale UPs, 2026)
May 11, 2026
Holly E.J. Black, a journalist and printmaker turned author, explores the global history of printmaking. She traces prints from the Diamond Sutra through Renaissance guilds, Japanese censorship, Mexican political collectives, South African resistance, and modern digital shifts. Short, vivid stories reveal how prints shaped art, commerce, and politics across cultures.
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Dunhuang Holds The Oldest Dated Printed Book
- The oldest dated printed book, the Diamond Sutra (868), was found in Dunhuang and proves high sophistication in early East Asian woodblock printing.
- Holly E.J. Black highlights the Dunhuang library cave discovery and its dated frontispiece as evidence print predates European origins.
European Printmaking Grew Out Of Metalwork Traditions
- Early European printmaking blurred craft and art because techniques came from metalwork and armour etching, not just painting.
- Black explains engraving and etching evolved from goldsmiths and armourers, enabling mobility across guild boundaries.
Armourers Migrated Decorative Skills Into Prints
- Armourers produced highly decorative etched metalwork that translated naturally into print techniques like etching.
- Black cites armour decoration and craftsmen families (Dürer as son of a goldsmith) moving into print as a direct lineage.
