Unknown Italian prints by Robert Saurwein ?

Today a contribution by reader and painter-artist Annie Howell-Adams in America. She’s send me for sharing these small what I believe to be original wood (or lino)cut prints in half postcard size. They were handed down to her and can be traced back to a member of the Roycroft Movement, an Arts and Crafts movement founded in 1895 by Elbert Hubbard (read here).

One of its members was architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959). The set was actually designed and edited as postcards, supposedly created but more probably collected by a member. They were thought to date from around 1910 but I think a somewhat later date, say around 1930 or in the 1930’s, would be good guess.

They all show the Italian Dolomite mountains and picturesque views of the North Italian Lake District, and I’ve never seen them, not even one of them, before. And aren't they great !

Carl Kunst (see before posting and here*) created his München series of (also half postcard size) woodcut postcards around 1910 and in America Arthur Dow student Rachel Elmer Robinson (1878-1919) did a similar project of (full size postcard) New York views for the Voland Company in 1916.

The choice and use of color however is very reminiscent of some of some Austrian printmakers and in particular the colorful and unique works of Robert Saurwein (1907-1942) coming to mind. He went missing in action in Serbia in 1942, but it is known he visited neighbouring Italy and Dolomite mountains. Closely observing his printing technique in the mountain areas........well look for yourself. True, otherwise Saurwein always staged some Tirolians in his prints an paintings but hopefully an observant reader, postcard collector or expert on Austrian printmakers can help identifying and attributing these works properly. 

Thank you Annie! Please visit Annie's website here*

all other pictures borrowed freely from the internet for friendly and educational use only.

Carl Kunst, some more finds

Carl Kunst (III)

(1884-1912)

German Poster and Printmaker

Keeping my promise from the before posting, to share some more newly found examples of Carl Kunst's prints, here is a collection of around 1910 postcard designs of the city of Munich he made. To my knowledge these 3 postings combined making up by now a pretty unique Catalog of Works by this artist. Although he died young, he has been far more prolific as I at first imagined a year ago when I found the exceptional print I started this quest for examples by this short lived artist with the first posting. 

  

These are rather small, miniature pictures if you consider they make up the top 1/3 of a vertical postcard.

 And one in the horizontal. 

 Then I found three more examples of Ammersee postcards.

 And one more poster (for a chocolate company)  

And two prints/designs labelled "carpet designs":

If you happen to know of examples of works by Carl Kunst please consider letting me know. (contact button) 

Carl Kunst, VROOOOOMMM

Carl Kunst (II)

1884-1912

German Printmaker
 Poster & Bookcover designer.

A few weeks ago I received a friendly email with some goodies attached from Blog reader Konstantin, who inherited from his father several, a collection of prints by Carl Kunst. There is also a family connection to this artist. Today I'ld like to share one of them because I think it is pretty spectacular and unique. It is also a good opportunity announcing a third posting showing even more new finds of this short lived but great poster and printmaker.

1910 USA

What makes this print so very special, besides capturing the action, the dare devillish speed and movement so well, the fact is it must be the absolute first woodblock print inspired by this new and daring sport: car racing. Grandprix racing originating in 1908. Here are some great photographs from that time.

Robert Leon Demachy, photographer, (1854-1936) "Speed" 1903

In this famous 1916 photograph people were puzzled by the oval shape of the wheels. The phenomenen occurs because of the cars' speed and the slow shutter speed of the camera. Capturing a racing car with these kind of camera's was a great achievement and must have been of great help designing this great print. As well as the posters of the period below.

Even without a proper date the print must be created around 1905-1910 because of the untimely departure of Carl Kunst aged only 27 in 1912. The car probably German although Fiat raced with red cars in those years. Maybe a reader can help us on the make of the car, maybe even knows who is driving it (in Germany ?) 

1907 Fiat

1908 Mercedes

It is hard to imagine it would take another 25(!) years before British Cyril Edward Power (1872-1951) and Canadian Sybil Andrews (1898-1993) created their famous speed and racing inspired linoleumcut prints after together founding the Grosvenor School of Modern Art in 1925.

Cyril Power 1932

Sybil Andrews 1934

To be continued with even more new found examples of Carl Kunst's woodblock prints.

Carl Kunst

Carl Kunst (I)

(1884 - 1912)

German grafic artist (Plakatkünstler)
Poster and Printmaker
Bookcover and Postcard designer 

A rare print by the hand of an even more enigmatic artist. He died very young (aged 27) but he made some very remarkable works of Art. Most are known as posters (Plakat) and most show wintery scenes. His mass reproduced posters are popular to this day. Originals in auctions make big prices. All matching dates I've found are 1905-1911. Spanning only some 6 years. So young and such talents. What if ....


Half a century later (1955) Shiro Kasamatsu had a similar thought. His print (Bird and Tree in 4 Seasons) is high on my wannahave list. Carl's print I stumbled upon and came in the post today.



To my knowledge Carl Kunst's works have nowhere been brought together. So let me have a go. High time after a 100 years. If there are more, please let me know.

(1905) (1910)

(1912)

(1912)

(1906)

Munich in winter, 1905
**** ATTENTION **** 

This posting is updated with new finds and examples on Nov. 29th 2011