Roquairol. 1917.
Woodcut.
Ebner/Gabelmann 716 H I (of II). Dube H 308. Signed, dated, titled and inscribed "Probedruck". Trial proof and only known proof from the first state. In total, 19 copies are known. 32 x 24.2 cm (12.5 x 9.5 in). Sheet: 38 x 34,2 cm (15,1 x 13,5 in).
With a sketch of a female nude in pencil on the reverse. [JS].
• Rarity. Only known print from the first state, still with the closed black areas on the nose wing, the cheek and in the background.
• The work shows one of the two main characters of the novel "Titan" by Jean Paul (4 volumes, published 1800-1809) which Heckel read intensively at this time.
• Heckel gave the character of Roquairol the facial features of the artist's friend Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and thus referred to his tense mental state.
• This double level of meaning of the motif is also reflected in the titles of the two related paintings "Roquairol" (Hünecke 1917-13) and "Der Freund" (Hünecke 1918-1).

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).
Erich Heckel. Einfühlung und Ausdruck, Buchheim Museum, Bernried, October 31, 2020 – March 7, 2021, p. 260 (fig.).

LITERATURE: Heinz Spielmann (ed.), Die Maler der Brücke. Sammlung Hermann Gerlinger, Stuttgart 1995, p. 303, SHG no. 460 (fig.).
Hermann Gerlinger, Katja Schneider (eds.), Die Maler der Brücke. Inventory catalog Hermann Gerlinger Collection, Halle (Saale) 2005, pp. 212-213, SHG no. 480 (fig.).

In good condition. Edges irregularly trimmed and margins with traces of color and rubbing, probably from printing. Few professionally smoothed creases in the margins and a faint brown stain in the left margin.