Zirkusclown. 1951.
Woodcut, colored.
Dube H 400. Ebner/Gabelmann 945 H. Signed, dated, titled and inscribed "Probedruck" and "koloriert". The woodcut is part fo an edition of 26 (uncolored) copies (according to the information Heckel provided on the printing block) and one of to date 15 known (mentioned in the catalogue raisonné). On Japon. 44.7 x 35.4 cm (17.5 x 13.9 in). Sheet: 54,7 x 41,5 cm (21,5 x 16,3 in).
The wooden block is part of the collection of the Museum Folkwang, Essen. [CH/AR].

• Hand-colored copy.
• Heckel already found strong inspiration for his works in the world of theater, vaudeville and circus during his Dresden "Brücke" period.
• The traditional depiction of the sad clown with averted gaze contains a melancholy that characterizes Heckel's work.
• The darkness of the deep black print and the partial coloration underline the magical mood of this circus scene.
• Of the 14 other known (but uncolored) copies, at least six are in museum collections.
• In the last 30 years, only two (but uncolored) copies of the woodcut have been offered on the international auction market (source: artprice.com).

The work is registered in the Erich Heckel Estate, Hemmenhofen on Lake Constance. We are grateful to Mrs Renate Ebner and Mr Hans Geissler for the kind support in cataloging this lot.

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: Renate Ebner, Andreas Gabelmann, Erich Heckel. Werkverzeichnis der Druckgraphik, vol. II (1914-1968), Munich 2021, no. 945 H.
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Heinz Spielmann (ed.), Die Maler der Brücke. Sammlung Hermann Gerlinger, Stuttgart 1995, p. 343, SHG no. 553 (illu.).
Hermann Gerlinger, Katja Schneider (eds.), Die Maler der Brücke. Inventory catalog Hermann Gerlinger Collection, Halle (Saale) 2005, p. 256, SHG no. 580 (illu.).

In very good condition. Minimally wavy at the upper sheet edges.