Graphics: Hewers of Woodcuts and Drawers of Watercolors

From the woodcuts of Dürer to the etchings of Goya and the lithographs of Lautrec, graphics have displayed a cutting edge in art; but for most serious artists, major statements are expected to be made in oils. Recently, however, graphics have assumed a new dignity in the artistic hierarchy as a pioneering medium. The major precedent was set by U.S. pop artists, who demonstrated that art directly inspired by commercial techniques could be—well, if not beautiful—at least socially significant. Today, more and more artists around the world use lithographs, engravings, aquatints or...