Begegnung. 1905/06.
Woodcut.
Gercken 65 I (of II). Dube H 42. Signed and inscribed "Blatt 2". One of a total of five copies and one of just three known copies from this state. On laid paper. 19.8 x 20.1 cm (7.7 x 7.9 in). Sheet: 34,8 x 29,4 cm (13,7 x 11,6 in).
Sheet 2 of the seven part series of woodcuts that Kirchner made in 1905 after Richard Dehmel's 1903 novel "Zwei Menschen". [CH/AM].
• This is the first time that a copy of this early and very rare woodcut is offered on the international auction market (source: artprice).
• Two of the other four known copies are museum-owned (Städel Museum, Frankfurt/Main and Brücke-Museum, Berlin).
• Inspired by Richard Dehmel's 1903 novel "Zwei Menschen", Kirchner created a series of seven woodcuts (this is sheet 2) in 1905.
• Important time of origin: E. L. Kirchner, Erich Heckel, Karl Schmidt-Rottluff and Fritz Bleyl founded the artist group "Brücke" in 1905.
• The abstract-ornamental forms in the margin and the depiction's rolling lines still hint at Art Nouveau, which was quite formative for Kirchner.
• Nude couples and especially female models play an important role in Kirchner's entire œuvre.

PROVENANCE: Hermann Gerlinger Collection, Würzburg (with the collector's stamp, Lugt 6032).

EXHIBITION: Schleswig-Holsteinisches Landesmuseum, Schloss Gottorf, Schleswig (permanent loan from the Hermann Gerlinger Collection, 1995-2001).
Kunstmuseum Moritzburg, Halle an der Saale (permanent loan from the Hermann Gerlinger Collection, 2001-2017).
Buchheim Museum, Bernried (permanent loan from the Hermann Gerlinger Collection, 2017-2022).

LITERATURE: Heinz Spielmann (ed.), Die Maler der Brücke. Sammlung Hermann Gerlinger, Stuttgart 1995, p. 130, SHG no. 96 (with illu.).
Hermann Gerlinger, Katja Schneider (eds.), Die Maler der Brücke. Inventory catalog Hermann Gerlinger Collection, Halle (Saale) 2005, p. 285, SHG no. 642 (with illu.).