[Rarebooks] FS: Portfolio of Striking Expressionist Prints of "torments that plague our existence"

[Charles Agvent]

KUBIN, Alfred. FÜNFZEHN FACSIMILEDRUCKE: Portfolio of 15 Prints. Diese 
Fünfzehn Drucke, getreue Wiedergaben der Originale in Papier, Format und 
Bild, Wurden in der Kunstansalt von J.B. Obernetter in München 
hergestellt. 1000 Exemplare wurden auf einem nach muster des 
Originalpapiers geschöpften bütten abgezogen, 100 exemplare auf Kaiserl. 
Japan über Kupferdruckpapier wurden numeriert und vom Künstler signiert. 
München: Hans von Weber-Verl., [1903]. First Edition. Large (15" x 
18-1/2") string-tied black cloth portfolio with the artist's name in 
gilt on the front cover and containing 15 loose prints (14" x 17-1/2") 
from original drawings with the artist's printed signature and title 
beneath each image. The first independent publication by the artist and 
the first published work by Hans von Weber. Kubin, an Austrian (1877 - 
1959) Expressionist artist, seems to have been influenced by the 
philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer on suffering and misfortune. His work 
is dark, unflinching, and symbolic. One print, "The Hour of Death" 
depicts the scything hand of the clock as it beheads men as it turns, 
the severed heads caught in a net below. Another, "The Fate of Mankind" 
shows a woman with a cloth over her head sweeping the living towards the 
cliff of their deaths. Yet another titled "Epidemic" depicts a giant 
hunched skeletal figure spreading disease like seeds over a village. 
Another titled "Science" shows a chimp scratching its head in puzzlement 
as it stands over a human corpse. Others concern war, death, and other 
"torments that plague our existence." This copy lacks the limitation 
page which, according to Paul Raabe (ALFRED KUBIN LEBEN - WERK - 
WIRKUNG, Hamburg, 1957, no. 8, mentioned page 71), was not issued with 
every copy. This likely from the edition of 1000 as a copy of the 
smaller limitation with the signed limitation page sold at Sotheby's 
London in 2020 (15,000 GBP) is described as slightly larger. In 2019, 
several of the original drawings these prints are based on sold also at 
Sotheby's London for between 500,000 and a million GBP each. Title page 
soiled; prints are Fine but for a few minor turned corners. Housed in a 
soiled, Very Good slipcase. Quite scarce. (#020587)        $7,500

https://www.charlesagvent.com/pages/books/020587/alfred-kubin/funfzehn-facsimiledrucke-portfolio-of-15-prints-diese-funfzehn-drucke-getreue-wiedergaben-der

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