 |
BOOKPLATES THE WORLD OF EX-LIBRIS |
|
A historical retrospective 4 EX-LIBRIS: A THEMATIC APPROACH |
|
4d VANITAS OR THE TRANSIENCE OF POSSESSION 1650-1950 |
 |
4d/21. Michl Fingesten (A/D, 1884-1943)  B. PETRLIK,
C3 + C4, 194 x 141, c.1920.
One of the most talented artists of his generation , whose work is ardently sought today by collectors, Michl Fingesten studied in Vienna at the same time as Kokoshka and having spent four years in the USA,came to Berlin in 1913, when his work drew attention. His powerful graphics, full of revolt against injustice, hunger and death brought him success. In 1935 he moved to Italy. Demonstratively anti-fascist, he was interned in 1940 and died in a concentration camp in 1943. He left a huge graphic opus, of which about one thousand ex-libris. Memento vivere: a reminder to live. |
 |
 |
4d/22. Richard Preusse (D, 1888-1971) HANNS HEEREN, C4,
124 x 83, c.1920.
An amusing image relating to the time when air travel was perhaps less safe than it is today. Preusse was a member of the Leipzig group of artists, with Blossfeld, Streller, etc. |
4d/23. Walter Helfenbein (D, 1893-1984) ERICH
DORSCHFELDT, C4, 131 x 91, 1924.
Helfenbein (see 4c/21) was also a master at dealing with the theme of vanitas. He engraved a series of at least 15 bookplates on this subject, over the years, for the collector Dorschfeldt. Each is a gem, and effecting a choice is difficult. |
1 / 1  |
 |
4d/24. Walter Nicolai (D) ERICH DORSCHFELDT, C3, 60 x 71,
c.1920
A lesser-known German artist, but whose vanitas plate for Erich Dorschfeldt shows another aspect of the question. |
4d/25. Walter Rehn (D, 1893-1984) OSCAR HILLINGER, C4,
115 x 95, c.1920.
A woman and Death dancing around an hour-glass is but one of the many interpretations of the vanitas theme engraved by the Dresden artist Rehn. |
 |
 |
4d/26. Arthur Paunzen (A, 1890-?) TH. ALEXANDER, C4,
132 x 94, 1917.
A lesser-known Austrian artist, but a splendid image of Death striding over the countryside. The variety of treatment of the same theme, even with the same technique (most of the preceding plates are drypoints), is very great. |
4d/27. Hubert David (GB) L. STRANGMAN, P1, 90 x 76, 1928.
A very different atmosphere in this plate by a much underestimated British artist. The alchemist, despite all his trappings, is overshadowed by the skeleton. |
 |
 |
4d/28. Armando Baldinelli (I,*1908) GINO SABATTINI, X1,
95 x 63, 1936.
A delightful plate by the Italian artist Baldinelli, showing Death frightened of... a mouse! And the motto reads minima caveo, I am wary of the smallest things. |
4d/29. Enrico Vannucini (I, 1900-?) GIANNI MANTERO, C4,
110 x 80, 1945.
The Italian painter and engraver Vannucini shows ironically a couple seemingly delighted by a tree, unawares that it is Death disguised. |
End of 4d
| Ex-Libris | Art Prints | Kara Art Home |