Tales of Genji III - Helen Frankenthaler

A 1998 woodcut print by Helen Frankenthaler, featuring layered blue tones and organic forms inspired by Japanese literature.

Tales of Genji III is a woodcut print produced by Helen Frankenthaler in 1998. This work belongs to a series inspired by the eleventh-century Japanese literary classic, The Tale of Genji. Frankenthaler collaborated with master printmakers at Tyler Graphics to achieve the specific atmospheric effects seen in this edition. The process involved multiple woodblocks, allowing for the layering of translucent colours that mimic the fluidity of her earlier soak-stain painting technique.

The composition is dominated by deep, saturated blues that suggest water or night air. A vertical band of lighter cyan cuts through the upper left, providing a sense of structural contrast against the more nebulous, organic forms that occupy the centre. Horizontal striations at the base of the print introduce a grounded element, referencing the wood grain of the blocks used during the printing process. These textures remain visible, reminding the viewer of the physical labour involved in carving and inking the wood.

Frankenthaler avoids rigid geometric forms, preferring instead to allow the ink to bleed and pool in ways that suggest movement. The print captures a sense of ephemeral space, where light and shadow shift across the surface. By using the woodcut medium, she translates the spontaneity of her painting practice into a controlled, multi-layered format. The result is a work that balances technical precision with the appearance of fluid, unforced expression. This print demonstrates her ability to adapt traditional printmaking methods to suit her abstract vocabulary, creating a dialogue between the history of the medium and contemporary visual concerns.