Karl Schmidt-Rottluff
Frau in der Wanne (Woman in Tub)
1915

Name: Frau in der Wanne (Woman in Tub)
Brand: Karl Schmidt-Rottluff
Price: 4250 USD
Availability: InStock

$4,250

About

An original woodcut engraving on smooth cream wove paper by German artist Karl Schmidt-Rottluff (1884-1976) titled "Frau in der Wanne (Woman in Tub)", 1915. Comes from the famous "Die Aktion" publication, likely Vol. 5, No. 13 published March 20th, 1915. Issued unsigned. Limited edition: unknown. Printed by F.E. Haag, Melle in Hannover and published by Verlag der Wochenschrift DIE AKTION, Berlin. Provenance: private collection - Kiel, Germany. Reference: 'Das Graphische Werk Bis 1923' - Schapire 171; Söhn 40502. Newly framed in a gold leaf moulding and Artglass UV WW and museum mounted, all archival. Framed size: 16" x 13.25". Sheet size: 11.5" x 8.75". Image size: 10" x 7.25". Some light toning to sheet consistent with age. It is otherwise a strong impression in excellent condition. "Frau in der Wanne" is a very rare, scarce edition. In 1911 Franz Pfemfert, a cantankerous critic of capitalism and Wilhelmine society, founded Die Aktion as a political and literary journal. In April of the following year, a new subtitle declared the journal a "weekly for politics, literature, and art." Although politics remained the priority, Die Aktion began featuring visual art coverage as well as original prints and illustrations. Artist Max Oppenheimer (MOPP) worked closely with 'Die Aktion' in its early years, portraying in its pages many of the young writers who gave the journal its distinctive voice. Egon Schiele made his first woodcuts at Pfemfert's urging in 1916, for publication in the journal. Other frequent contributors included Ludwig Meidner and, later, Conrad Felixmüller and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. Adamantly opposed to World War I, Pfemfert skirted tightened censorship from August 1914 to October 1918 by treating contemporary events only through artistic and literary allusions. At a time when reading books by foreign authors was considered unpatriotic, he dedicated entire issues of Die Aktion to Russian, French, and Belgian authors and artists. In late 1918, however, Pfemfert resumed vocal political critique, siding with the radical left. His selection of prints, formerly varied, became overtly political. After 1921, he ceased art coverage altogether, decreased the number of issues, and used the publication exclusively as a mouthpiece for his own increasingly partisan views. Karl Schmidt-Rottluff (born December 1, 1884, Rottluff, near Chemnitz, Germany—died August 9, 1976, West Berlin [now Berlin]), German painter and printmaker who was noted for his Expressionist landscapes and nudes. In 1905 Schmidt-Rottluff began to study architecture in Dresden, Germany, where he and his friend Erich Heckel met Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Fritz Bleyl, two other architecture students who shared their passion for painting. Together they formed the organization of Expressionist artists known as Die Brücke (“The Bridge”), united by the goal of creating a modern, intensely emotional style. The artists of Die Brücke typically preferred to portray scenes of urban life, but Schmidt-Rottluff is particularly known for his rural landscapes. He initially painted in an Impressionist style, but his painting Windy Day (1907) shows the artist’s transition to his mature style, which is characterized by flat areas of boldly dissonant colours. A representative example of this mature work is Self-Portrait with Monocle (1910). Like the other Brücke artists, Schmidt-Rottluff had also begun to explore the expressive potential of the woodcut medium. In 1911 Schmidt-Rottluff, with his fellow Die Brücke members, moved to Berlin, where he painted works with more angular, geometric forms and distorted space, revealing his new interest in Cubism and African sculpture. After World War I Schmidt-Rottluff became increasingly interested in religious themes, as seen in the woodcut Head of Christ (1918), which is one of a series of prints about the life of Christ. During the 1920s Schmidt-Rottluff’s work became more subdued and harmonious, losing much of its former vigour and integrity. When the Nazis gained power in Germany, he was forbidden to paint. After World War II he taught art and resumed painting, although he never regained the power of his early works.

Details

Creator
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff
Creation Year
1915
Dimensions
Height: 16 in. (40.64 cm)Width: 13.25 in. (33.66 cm)
Medium
Engraving,Woodcut
Movement & Style
Expressionist
Period
1910-1919
Condition
Gallery Location
Saint Augustine, FL
Reference Number
1stDibs: LU12125725872
View Invoice

Shipping & Returns

Shipping
Rates vary by destination and complexity. We recommend this shipping type based on item size, type and fragility.
Ships From: Saint Augustine, FL
Return Policy
A return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.