Clare Leighton is an influential artist who skillfully reflects the beauty of rural life and the relationship between humans and nature in her works. Active during the mid and late 20th century, Leighton was not only an artist but also a writer who sought to understand and portray the details of rural life and the natural world. Masterfully employing the wood engraving technique, she depicted agricultural activities, the daily lives of people in rural areas, the struggles of the working class, and the magnificence of nature in her works. Leighton’s works are not only aesthetically rich but also contain visual narratives of social, political, and cultural identities. Her focus on rural life and the working class brings themes of social justice and equality to the fore, while also emphasizing the preservation of cultural values and traditions. Her works serve as a bridge between the past and the present, documenting the disappearing rural values of the modern world and reminding viewers of their significance. In this study, Clare Leighton’s wood engravings are examined using the document analysis method. Through this method, the content, themes, visual elements, and the social implications of her works are analyzed. By highlighting the aesthetics of rural life and the value of human labor, Leighton provides a critical perspective on the political and cultural atmosphere of her time. Clare Leighton’s wood engravings bring together themes of social justice, labor, and nature, offering an artistic approach to the sociopolitical and cultural issues of her era. These works are not only visual masterpieces but also narratives that document the intellectual and social transformations of a period. In conclusion, Clare Leighton’s works transcend mere aesthetic value, leaving a profound artistic legacy with their social, political, and cultural dimensions.

Clare Leighton, Wood Print, Printmaking, Social Art, Cultural Art