Bagatelle II. Pestwurz. 2002.
Woodcut. Hand-printed in orange.
Signed and numbered on the reverse. From an edition of 33 copies (in different colors). On Kumohadamashi paper by Heizaburo Iwano. 77 x 103 cm (30.3 x 40.5 in). Sheet: 107 x 129,5 cm (42,1 x 51 in).
Printed by Nik Hausmann, Franz Gertsch, Maria Gertsch & Druckercrew (Bendicht Gertsch, Albrecht Gertsch). Published by Franz Gertsch. Each print unique in terms of color. [CH].

• Inimitable technique: Gertsch used small gouges to cut tiny holes in the wooden plates for the print.
• These imperfections in the wood allow the white of the paper to remain visible in the subsequent print, and the density of these points of light determines the balance of light and dark in the image.
• Until November 10, the Louisiana Museum in Humlebæk honors the 2022 deceased artist with a comprehensive retrospective.

We are grateful to the Gertsch family, Bern, for the kind support in cataloging this lot.

PROVENANCE: Galerie im Park, Burgdorf.
Private collection, Southern Germany (acquired from the above in 2004).

LITERATURE: Andrea Firmenich, Johannes Janssen (eds.), Franz Gertsch. Holzschnitte. Aus der Natur gerissen, with a register of prints from 1972 to 2008 as a preliminary catalogue raisonné by Rainer Michael Mason, Cologne 2013, no. 28 B a (of B b) (with b/w illus., different copy).
Franz Gertsch in an interview with Rainer Michael Mason, 2013, quoted from: ex. cat. Franz Gertsch. Holzschnitte, Museum Sinclair-Haus, Bad Homburg 2013, p. 22.