Bicycle Linocut
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bicycle linocut |
Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel … the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood.
Susan B. Anthony
Ever since my first bicycle as a kid, I have loved riding a bicycle. This Susan B. Anthony quote really rings true for me. I feel that freedom when I am moving on two wheels. International Women's Day was March 8, and I never realized how the bicycle was one of the symbols in the women's movement of late 19th century.
According to National Women's History Museum:
Bicycles came to symbolize the quintessential “New Woman” of the late 19th century. The “new woman” was the feminist ideal during the Progressive Era, a time of great social and cultural change for women. The image of the new woman reflected many of the new opportunities for careers and education that were opening up for them. The “New Woman” was deemed to be young, college educated, active in sports, interested in pursuing a career, and looking for a marriage based on equality. She was also almost always depicted on a bike!
detail of bicycle linocut |
This bicycle linocut is based on a photo I took of an old bike I had when I was living in California.
The linocut is 3 inches height by 4 inches width on a 5 x 7 120 weight printmaking paper.
What do you like doing that gives you a sense of freedom?
joining sunday sketches
I adore your bike! It is so typical of what I think of when I think "bicycle"!
ReplyDeleteTo me freedom as a woman is being able to have the money to live your own life, even if you choose to share it with someone else!
QuiltSwissy, I so agree and my Mom felt the same way. A woman's ability to secure her own financial independence goes hand in hand with freedom. And I don't believe anyone has to get married to enjoy that freedom.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful job on the linocut and a worthy tribute post to the bicycle!
ReplyDeleteStunning Linocut, I wish I could master it but I'm happier stamp carving
ReplyDeleteHugs
Donna xxx
What a wonderful bicycle and it was interesting to learn about the role they've played.
ReplyDeleteI was 8 yrs old. My grandparents shipped the bicycle from Montana to Calif. and I walked in on my father secretly putting it together. He was so mad! But he's the one who taught me how to ride. I put my roller skates away. I remember feeling like I was flying. The wind in my face...
ReplyDeleteIt's great to look at your lovely bicycle and reading the remarkable text. I'm really grateful for both, the invention of the bicyle as well as the emancipation! Many thanks for sharing the noteworthy thoughts and illustration!
ReplyDeleteWonderful linocut and I had never thought about the freedom that comes with these wheels. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love black and white lino cuts. After reading your thoughts on women and bicycles, I would highly recommend a movie to you called "Wadjda." An excellent film about a Saudi girl whose dream it is to own a bicycle.
ReplyDeleteLove the story behind this print, and the print itself of course! Very thought provoking :)
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful. I, too, have love bicycles since I had my first tricycle when I was about 4 or 5. It had a wicker basket and a bell and a horn. Your piece really brought back happy memories from childhood all the way thru to my 60's. At that time my balance became impaired and now I am afraid to get on one. I have never heard of a linocut, but am very familiar with Fannie Mennen's linoleum prints whose art is now in museums. Her prints are all over my children's homes. I guess that is why I am so drawn to your work. I am now going to go and research linocuts so I can understand better. I am a newbie and so happy to have met you and seen your work. I hope you have a lovely week. genie
ReplyDeleteSuch a great linocut! I love the fine details. I did my only linocuts years ago at school and I still remember cutting deeply into my left index finger at the time so my respect for anyone doing linocuts is huge. I'm too afraid of trying it again. I don't agree on the bicycle being the best thing that has happend to women with regard to emancipation (that credit for me will forever go to the washing machine) but me too I love to ride my bicycle and it sure is a great invention.
ReplyDeleteLove your linocut! Great story too. :)
ReplyDeleteBarbara,
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, I could not get the capcha on your blog to recognize my input. I kept getting an error.
OOh ... cherry season is another thing to look forward to on my list. I like the details and patterns with the cherries! And thank you for the Wadjda movie recommendation. I'm borrowing the dvd from my library:)
Thank you everyone for your visits and comments and sharing your memories around the bicycle theme.
ReplyDeleteSonja, the washing machine was definitely a game changer!
Great post, Juana. I LOVE how you write and get us to thinking about things in ways we don't typically do so. Love your linocut of the bicycle. Quite fun! I wish I had the time to explore more. But alas...maybe after summer is over! :)
ReplyDeletelovely linocut :D
ReplyDelete