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Raven was Beautiful! (1993)

Wood Engraving
Dale DeArmond
Artist's Edition: 25
Edition of Artist Proofs: 2

Paper type: Archival quality
Print size: 7 ½" x 8 ½"
Image size: 5" x 6"

AKA: Raven was Beautiful

Hand pulled by the artist from the original endgrain maple blocks on an Ettan etching press at Sitka, Alaska, July, 1993.

Editor's note: also see Why Loon Laughs.

A Yupik folktale told by Martha Littlefield. Raven was the most beautiful bird in the world and Loon was a plain black bird. Loon begged Raven to make her beautiful and after some argument Raven agreed and gave Loon her beautiful white pattern. Loon then persuaded Raven to let Loon make her more beautiful. Loon rubbed soot and ashes on Raven and when Raven looked at her reflection in the lake she saw that she was now a plain black bird. And that is why Loon laughs.

Original price: $60.00