Erich Hermes
Portrait of a woman, 1929, red chalk on paper
1929

About the Item

Erich HERMES (1881-1971) Portrait of a Woman, 1929 Sanguine on paper Signed "E. Hermès" and dated "29" lower left 29.5 x 22.5 cm original frame Erich Hermès, a Geneva artist of German origin, was born in Ludwigshafen-am-Rhein in 1881 of Huguenot parents. He trained as a painter-decorator before entering the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Geneva. Awarded a Swiss Confederation scholarship, he spent his first year in Paris in 1909, before continuing his training in Munich, Italy and Spain. Erich Hermès was an important figure in Geneva figurative painting in the first half of the 20th century. He produced numerous monumental works integrated into architecture. They adorned official and sacred public buildings such as the Protestant temple in Carouge (ill.1), as well as private edifices. The easel painting of his early years was strongly influenced by the work of Ferdinand Hodler (1853-1918), whom he met around 1903. Like Hodler, he painted Switzerland and its heroic figures and battles, while maintaining a strong empathy for the common people. He later moved towards New Objectivity, developing a more personal style. The artist is also renowned in the world of graphic arts, particularly for his work as a poster artist in the 1930s and 1940s. He used his art to promote the Alps and winter sports (ill.2), as well as products such as wine and cigars. The red chalk portrait of a woman is dated 1929. We seem to find the model's physiognomy in some of the artist's paintings (ill.3) depicting intimate subjects. Our figure, who wears a Huguenot cross around her neck, a Protestant symbol, could thus be someone from Erich Hermès' private sphere.

Creator:

Erich Hermes

Creation Year:

1929

Dimensions:

Height: 11.62 in (29.5 cm)Width: 8.86 in (22.5 cm)

Medium:

Chalk

Period:

1920-1929

Condition:

Sold on its original frame.