The early 20th century Renaissance of the woodcut in Germany

During  the first part of the 20th century one of the most significant and  enduring contributions to the history of western art is provided to us  by the German artists who worked in the medium of woodcut. It is the  woodcut which is considered the most German of all printing techniques.

The  first attempts of Ernst-Ludwig Kirchner in this technique were still  close to Art-Nouveau and the woodcut soon developed into the foremost  medium with several Brücke artists, corresponding closest to their  mentality.  The position of German artists remained in European and even  global comparison unrivaled. Karl Schmidt-Rottluff excelled in this  medium, but also Ernst-Ludwig Kirchner and Erich Heckel created  masterpieces in woodcut. Others, such as Otto Dix and Max Beckmann, also  experimented in this technique, although it was more difficult for them  to access it. For many German artists from the 1910s – 1920s the  woodcut acquired the same status as painting.

In presenting  selected prints related in subject matter and printing date, we would  like to highlight the technical and stylistic mannerisms of individual  artists. Simultaneously, it is the influence of European art (Cubism and  Futurism etc.) and Non-European art (African and Tribal) which we  intend to show in characteristic examples in our booth at Art Basel  2018.

An illustrated catalogue with scholarly essay will accompany our presentation.