Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
German, 1912-1975
Surrealist German artist Hans Bellmer produced images of contorted, disfigured or bound forms of usually pubescent women in drawings, paintings, photographs and sculptures. He is best known for creating life-sized dolls and disassembled mannequins and used his art to explore themes of sexuality, lust and death as well as to express his viewpoints on politics and society, work through his own traumas and comment on Freudian psychoanalytic principles.
Bellmer was born in Katowice, Germany. He and his brother lived in constant fear of their stern father who showed the boys little affection. Childish play was forbidden by his cold father. Even though he passed university entrance exams, his father insisted that he work in factories and coal mines instead of furthering his education. His father did eventually agree to allow Bellmer to enter the engineering program at the Berlin Polytechnic but his true passion was art.
In 1924, Bellmer quit school and became an illustrator and advertising designer for a left-wing publishing house. Upon discovering Dadaism, he associated with artists such as John Heartfield and George Grosz and attended lectures at the Bauhaus art school. As fascist politics took hold around him — Bellmer was living in Berlin when Hitler came to power, and his own father became a Nazi — he was compelled to create art that reflected his anger and inner turmoil.
Capitalizing on the manifesto of Surrealist André Breton that called for words to be cut up and rearranged, he created a series of mannequins, dressed as children’s dolls, that explored his own erotic obsessions and abusive relationships around him. With like-minded German artist Unica Zürn, Bellmer collaborated on related works that examined bondage and eroticism for 15 years.
Many of Bellmer’s works can be found in public collections around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco, the International Center of Photography in New York and the British Museum in London.
On 1stDibs, find authentic Hans Bellmer prints and other art on 1stDibs.
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Artist: Hans Bellmer
'Blue Eyes' — Erotic Surrealism
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Hans Bellmer, 'Blue Eyes', engraving and drypoint, edition 99, 1971. Flahutez 89. Signed and numbered '74/99' in pencil. A fine impression, on Arches cream wove paper; the full sheet...
Category
1960s Surrealist Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
Materials
Engraving, Drypoint
Abstract Erotism - Original Etching Handsigned and Numbered
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, IDF
Hans BELLMER
Abstract Erotism
Original etching, 1973
Handsigned in pencil by the artist
Numbered / 20 (Roman numerals)
On Auvergne paper, 57 x 38 cm (22,4 x 14,9 inches)
From the P...
Category
1970s Surrealist Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
Materials
Etching
No title
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Etching and aquatint
Edition : 148/200
50.00 cm. x 37.00 cm. 19.69 in. x 14.57 in. (paper)
30.00 cm. x 27.00 cm. 11.81 in. x 10.63 in. (image)
Handsigned by the artist in pencil
Re...
Category
1960s Modern Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
Materials
Engraving
Faces
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Etching
Handsigned by the artist in pencil and annoted EA
90.00 cm. x 63.00 cm. 35.43 in. x 24.8 in. (paper)
65.00 cm. x 50.00 cm. 25.59 in. x 19.69 in. (image)
Annoted "EA"
LCD4559
Category
1970s Abstract Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
Materials
Etching
Composition, Feuilles éparses, Hans Bellmer
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Southampton, NY
Etching on vélin cuve de Rives paper. Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. Good condition. Notes: From the folio, Feuilles éparses, 1965. Published and printed by Louis B...
Category
1960s Modern Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
Materials
Etching
$9,996 Sale Price
20% Off
Untitled (Two Nudes) — Erotic Surrealism
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Hans Bellmer, Untitled (Two Nudes), engraving and drypoint, 1971, edition 99. Signed and numbered '94/99' in pencil. A fine impression, on Arches cream wove paper; the full sheet wit...
Category
1960s Surrealist Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
Materials
Engraving, Drypoint
Les Marionettes II — Erotic Surrealism
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Hans Bellmer, Les Marionettes II, etching with hand coloring, 1969, edition 150, Flahutez 58-8. Signed and annotated 'HC' in pencil. A fine impression on brown Fabriano hand-made laid paper; the full sheet with margins (3/4 to 3 1/4 inches), in excellent condition. Archivally sleeved, unmatted.
Image size 13 7/16 x 11 7/8 inches; sheet size 19 1/8 x 13 1/4 inches.
A 'Hors Commerce' impression. From a suite of 11 etchings created by Bellmer to illustrate 'On the Marionette Theatre...
Category
1960s Surrealist Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
Materials
Etching
'Child and Seeing Hands' — after the artist's 1948 Surrealist masterwork
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Hans Bellmer, 'Child and Seeing Hands', photogravure and engraving, edition 9, 1970. Flahutez 4-9. Signed by the artist and numbered '41/90' in pencil. A superb, richly-inked impress...
Category
1670s Surrealist Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
Materials
Engraving, Photogravure
Les Marionettes I — Erotic Surrealism
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Hans Bellmer, Les Marionettes I, etching with hand coloring, 1969, edition 150. Signed and annotated 'HC' in pencil. A fine impression on brown Roma hand-made laid paper; the full sheet with margins (1 to 2 5/8 inches), in excellent condition. Archivally sleeved, unmatted.
Image size 11 13/16 x 11 1/8 inches; sheet size 15 5/8 x 13 1/4 inches.
A 'Hors Commerce' impression. From a suite of 11 etchings created by Bellmer to illustrate 'On the Marionette Theatre...
Category
1960s Surrealist Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
Materials
Etching
Mirror of dreams
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Etching and aquatint, 1972
Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 101/150
Publisher : Magaglio, Paris
66.00 cm. x 50.50 cm. 25.98 in. x 19.88 in. (paper)
40.00 cm. x 30.00 ...
Category
1970s Abstract Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
Materials
Etching, Aquatint
Femme au Chapeau D'Oiseau
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Hollywood, FL
Artist: Hans Bellmer
Title: Femme au Chapeau D'Oiseau
Medium: Etching on Japon Paper
Signed: Hand Signed by Hans Bellmer
Edition Number: 46/100
Measurements: Paper: 15" x 22"
...
Category
1970s Surrealist Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
Materials
Etching
Les Mariés - 1968 - Hans Bellmer - Etching - Contemporary
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Roma, IT
Les Mariés is an important colored etching made by the artist Hans Bellmer, after a tempera of 1941.
This is an artist proof. The state of preservation is excellent. Signed on the l...
Category
1960s Contemporary Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
Materials
Etching
Madame est servie
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Engraving
66.00 cm. x 51.00 cm. 25.98 in. x 20.08 in. (paper)
39.50 cm. x 29.50 cm. 15.55 in. x 11.61 in. (image)
Annoted "HC"
Handsigned by the artist in pencil
Ref : LCD1973
Category
1960s Modern Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
Materials
Engraving
Entre deux eaux
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Engraving, 1968
Catalog : Catalogue [Denoël 91]
56.00 cm. x 38.00 cm. 22.05 in. x 14.96 in. (paper)
31.00 cm. x 24.00 cm. 12.2 in. x 9.45 in. (image)
Engraving on Japan paper, 1968...
Category
1960s Modern Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
Materials
Engraving
Madame est servie
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
Engraving
Handsigned by the artist in pencil and annoted EA
66.00 cm. x 51.00 cm. 25.98 in. x 20.08 in. (paper)
40.00 cm. x 30.00 cm. 15.75 in. x 11.81 in. (image)
LCD1972
Category
1970s Abstract Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
Materials
Engraving
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Hybrid woman
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Paris, FR
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Handsigned by the artist in pencil and numbered 9/100
48.00 cm. x 37.00 cm. 18.9 in. x 14.57 in. (paper)
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Located in Paris, FR
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Annoted "HC"
Handsigned by the artist ...
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1960s Modern Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
Materials
Etching
Hans Bellmer - Rare Original Signed Lithograph
By Hans Bellmer
Located in Collonge Bellerive, Geneve, CH
Hans Bellmer - Rare Original Signed Lithograph
Signed with Pencil
Edition: 31/120
Dimensions: 48 x 48 cm
Hans Bellmer
A German born artist and photographer, Hans Bellmar is considered as having a surrealist style in photography by historians of the two mentioned fields. Until 1926 that is at the age of 24, Bellmer worked at his personal advertising firm as a draftsman. The artist is known for his project on mutated body forms of dolls and their unusual poses; in order to combat the fascism being imposed on people by the Nazis. Bellmer’s influence was from Oskar Kokoschka’s letters published in print. Kokoschka was an Austrian poet and artist.
In 1933, he produced the first doll that was 56 inches in heights made from flax fiber using plaster and glue. In 1934, he documented various parts of the dolls in a single photograph and later on produced photos of such nature. In the same year, he published a book titled, Die Puppe meaning The Doll. It includes ten monochrome photograph’s of the doll Bellmer initially composed in tableaux vivants. At the time, his work was acknowledged in the art culture of Parisan, particularly among the Surrealists. This was because Bellmer’s photography and art referred to sexuality and beauty of women. His work was featured in Minotaure, a journal on surrealism. The book was anonymous with no identity of the photographer. However, in 1938 due to the content of the images and the purpose, the Nazis labeled his work as degenerated art. This meant that anybody producing modern art will be sanctioned, and Bellmer was forced to leave Germany, thus he headed towards France.
Once the war was over, Bellmer lived in Paris forever. He then quit making dolls and turned towards creating erotic etchings, drawings, paintings, pornographic photography and teenage girl prints.
In 1975,Hans Bellmer said goodbye to this world and died from cancer. He was buried at Père Lachaise Cemetery.
After his death, much happened concerning his work – most of the things were good and some were unfortunate for the popularity of his work. In 2001, one of the creatures from Silent Hill 2 (video game) resembled the dolls made by Bellmer. However, the designer of the monster claimed that the inspiration came from traditional folklore of Japan. Apparent references to Hans Bellmer’s art and photography were visible in Love Object, a film made in 2003. Moreover, a band from post punk era in New York, took its name from the works of Bellmer on his dolls and called their band Bellmer Dolls. A 2004 film, Ghost in the Shell...
Category
1950s Surrealist Hans Bellmer Abstract Prints
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Lithograph
Hans Bellmer abstract prints for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Hans Bellmer abstract prints available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Hans Bellmer in engraving, etching, drypoint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the Surrealist style. Not every interior allows for large Hans Bellmer abstract prints, so small editions measuring 9 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Robert Vale Faro, Clarence Holbrook Carter, and Manuel Amorim. Hans Bellmer abstract prints prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $446 and tops out at $1,872, while the average work can sell for $610.