Klaus Dechert and Shiro Kasamatsu

Klaus Dechert

 (1930 – 2007)

German agricultural engineer, graphic and offset printer.

From 1965 artist and Hanga printmaker after education in Japan.

My Internet Odyssey revealing new adventures, treasures and artists of interest almost every (other) day. Like recently discovering German Hanga printer Klaus Dechert. 

After visiting a Hanga exhibition in Cairo in 1965 he decided becoming an artist in the traditional Moku Hanga way. Travelling to Japan he found a master who would teach him.

That teacher was no other than the great Shiro Kasamatsu (1898-1991). Japanese prints not my field of speciality. I have no speciality other then my enthusiasm for relief printing artists, prints and making. Japanese printing the Mother of all Modern Printmakers.

There are so many wonderful Japenese printmakers but I count some of Kasamatsu’s prints to my all time favourites.

He is among the printers “would I love to own a print by him one day” list.

Pupil and master. I think you are as surprised as I am with the great quality prints Dechert made. And as this occasion arose so unexpectedly it’s a good opportunity showing you my favorite (“would I love to” etc…..) Kasamatsu prints as well.

Bird Cage (1957)

1th Anniversary

The Linosaurus' first birthday and today an almost incredible 25.000 visites on my humble Blog. Thank you followers and visitors. For our mutual amusement and amazement I shall continue dicovering and showing more nice woodblock and linocut prints and printmakers. And all other things of beauty and interest worth sharing that may come along.

The editor, writer, director and owner of

the Linosaurus   

George Washinton Lambert

George Washinton Lambert

(1873-1930)

Australian painter.

"ANZACS, 1915"

Before returning to the printing artists today I share "Anzacs".

While encountering Sidney Long’s prints (previous 3 postings) in Australia I stumbled over this great and intriguing painting:  “ANZACS”. This title not immediately ringing bells, living on the other side of the planet and a century later. Three bathing young men and a donkey. Great bleus. At first I thought it to be by Sorolla (Joaquim Sorolla i Bastida 1863 - 1923) Next 4 examples are, from an immense number of great paintings.

Bano del caballo (the bathing of the horse)



ANZACS the combined Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The scene: Gallipoli beach, later renamed Anzac Cove.
Churchill’s plan opening an eastern front in a desperate attempt changing the balance of WWI after the disastrous stale mate in Flanders Fields. Attacking the Turks (allies of Germany) in Mythological Hellespont. The Dardanelles, the narrow strait between Turkey and Europe. Homer land.

 

Thousands of young allied men, marching, farewells said, shipped, fighting and being killed to glory like Homers Heroes on the same mythological shores of the Sea of Marmara. Lambert made several sketches and paintings of the place afterwards.

Lambert probably painted “ANZACS” with the help of photographs and imagination. In London in 1916. Even the (stranded) troups ship (right upper) can be seen. As well as details in the cliff’s face. See the picture of John Simpson with donkey below. Three men bathing like Greek Gods probably on May 30th, five days after the actual landing. As recorded by his friend, eyewitness and poet Arthur Adams.

“No legend lured these men to roam;

They journeyed forth to save from harm,

Some Mother-Helen sad at home,

Some obscure Helen on a farm”.

The soldier saving his wounded fellow soldiers from the battle field with the help of his donkey was John Simpson until he was machine gunned himself. He posthumously received the Victoria Cross for heroic gallantry and the Legend continues to this day. Like Homers. ANZAC day (25^th April) a national holiday in Australia and New Zealand. I didn’t know.

Now I do and and shalln't forget.

Sidney Long (closing)

Sidney Long1871 – 1951)
Australian painter, teacher, etcher and printer.

Completing my affair with Sidney Long I cannot withold showing his "Tranquile waters". It is the painting that made Longs name in Australia. Back in 1894. It was much discussed and talked about and led to a good deal of controversy and scandal. Because of the (homo?) erotic(?) bathing boys. But after painting and disclosing Spirit of the Planes (flute player, woods and cranes) in 1887 and Pan in 1889 he was forgiven. Through their succes he now is considered one of Australia's greatest landscape painters.

Here are some of my choosen pictures, to begin with these paintings in oil: "the morning moon",
And "reflections on McDonald River".
Inspired by Constable visiting England: "In Constable land".

And some great watercolour paintings. With some some more great trees.

Sidney Long , Flamingos !

Sidney Long(1871 – 1951)
Australian painter, teacher, etcher and printer.

Discovering nice things always making me curious and investigative. To know if there's more. Well, there was and so here are Sidney Long's flamingos.

Hope you like them. As much as I do.

Sidney Long, Paganism, Saters and Trees,

Sidney Long
(1871–1951)
Australian painter, teacher, etcher and printer.
Leading member of the "painter-etchers" in Australia.

"sadder than a single star that sets at twilight in a land of reeds".

Finding some of the Stark Davis' Lincoln ads on Thom Buchanan’s “the Pictorial Arts” Blog I stumbled upon this great scene by Australian artist Lindsey Long. Leading of course to the discovery of more great pictures. I won’t go to deep into this great Australian artist (just follow Wikipedia) and will restrict myself to his earlier Pagan, Pan, Trees and Flamingo's finding some truly magnificent examples of very fine prints, paintings and watercolors of (Art Nouveau) trees. The popularity of his earlier mystical an pagan paintings (he also reworked into prints) allowing him financially dedicating the rest of his life studying abroad and to painting. He was a contemporary of Australians Norman (and Lionel) Lindsay and Thea Proctor.

Pan

Spirit of the Plains

Next: Sidney Long's Flamingo's.

Thank you Thom Buchanan:

mydelineatedlife.blogspot.com

Thank you Silas Clifford-Smith for pointing at:

 http://www.daao.org.au/bio/sydney-long/#artist_biography