I recently came across two prints by Jungnickel that were new to me and quite a surprise. The colour woodcut of the pair of greyhounds below is in restrained black and olive only but he used an unusual and subtle monochrome for the Macaque monkeys. There is another image of Macaques in the post on his colour woodcuts but this one employs a technique I don't have a word for. The term used in German is
Schablonenspritztechnik. Google translation left me none the wiser so I would be grateful if German-speaking readers let us know exactly what this wonderful artist of ours is doing here. I've also included a drawing of a monkey so readers can see how carefully he studied the animals he used as models for his prints. They will also note the differences in style. He has been especially selective for the Macaque print.
What I like about these prints is that Jungnickel doesn't try too hard. The depiction of the greyhounds' legs is spare enough to suggest their strength but the wanton approach of Bresslern Roth is absent. She is more stylish, certainly, but he always concentrates our attention on the animals themselves. The second print dates from 1912 so it comes towards the end of the series of colour woodcuts he made.
I recently came across two prints by Jungnickel that were new to me and quite a surprise. The colour woodcut of the pair of greyhounds below is in restrained black and olive only but he used an unusual and subtle monochrome for the Macaque monkeys. There is another image of Macaques in the post on his colour woodcuts but this one employs a technique I don't have a word for. The term used in German is Schablonenspritztechnik. Google translation left me none the wiser so I would be grateful if German-speaking readers let us know exactly what this wonderful artist of ours is doing here. I've also included a drawing of a monkey so readers can see how carefully he studied the animals he used as models for his prints. They will also note the differences in style. He has been especially selective for the Macaque print.
What I like about these prints is that Jungnickel doesn't try too hard. The depiction of the greyhounds' legs is spare enough to suggest their strength but the wanton approach of Bresslern Roth is absent. She is more stylish, certainly, but he always concentrates our attention on the animals themselves. The second print dates from 1912 so it comes towards the end of the series of colour woodcuts he made.
Hi Charles,
ReplyDeletethese prints are very much to the point, indeed, especially the Macaques!
I must admit that I am not familiar with the different printing techniques, and if I'm honest even a woodblock is kind of a mystery to me. However, I think I have a vague idea of what "Schablonenspritztechnik" is supposed to mean: "Schablone" in English would be a "stencil", and "spritzen" is "to spray". And indeed these little monkeys have a Banksy-like freshness to them, don't they. Normally I would associate the stencil-based technique to what the French call "pochoir", if I'm not mistaken. However, these prints - often used to illustrate modern fashion in Paris - don't seem to resemble Jungnickel's works, if you ask me. Maybe this makes some sense to you, after all you know much more about printmaking than I do (this is not intended to be a compliment, it's a simple fact).
Having said that, I don't think I share your opinion about Jungnickel being a better artist than Bresslern-Roth, but maybe we can discuss this matter when you post about her. (Can't wait to read this post, but I don't want to appear pushy: all this must be a lot of work, I assume.)
By the way: I was quite surprised to read that the Kirkpatrick society is supposed to be a project for a new blog. The idea is tempting, but I doubt that I would have the knowledge and find the time to make contributions. I was thinking more of a pissup in a Cornish pub, to tell you the truth, but even that would be hard for me to do - Cornwall is not exactly round the corner from Munich.
There is one more thing I wanted to tell you: I happened to spot two Leschhorn prints offered on ebay at the moment (check the seller named "medistud2"), you might be interested. One is truly beautiful, I think, but both are not cheap.
all the best to you,
Klaus
Many thanks for starting this off, Klaus. At the back of my mind, there is an artist I have dealt with recently claiming to have invented a new technique. Was it this? I don't have time to search again right now. Pochoir is matt but this does look like a form of stencil. But I think pochoir is more associated with the twenties and art deco.
ReplyDeleteI must stop making these rather controversial comparisons between artists but I would like to see some drawings by Bresslern Roth. I quite often consider a post on her but then take a rather deep breath. Where do you start? And how many people will I offend? Seriously, I don't think Jungnickel gets enough credit.
As for the Ethel Kirkpatrick Society, a pub in Cornwall would be ideal for a first meeting, yes. With a visit to the Tate. But Walberswick would certainly be nearer for most of us. We must speak to Gerrie who can't wait for his retirement. Perhaps we should all take the sleeper from Paddington.
Now, I told you the last Leschhorn was cheap! I agree about Bach im Winter. Very desirable and a shame it doesn't enlarge any better. And to answer your point about Rotky, the way Leschhorn has worked in flatter areas on this one does remind me of him. I liked the green slash of stream. It will be interesting to see what happens. But thanks for letting readers know. It certainly adds something more to our knowledge of Leschhorn.
Charles,
ReplyDeleteplease don't stop making controversial comparisons, they are inspiring and add a little spice ro our exchange of thoughts and opinions. It is more rewarding when you have to explain or defend your point, I think.
I have just found the print that you took for your new header.
Klaus
Let's hope the site I borrowed it from doesn't find me.
ReplyDeletewho's it by and where is it?
ReplyDeleteno fair starting the EKS so far from california! please post reports!
i just love the top monkeys. the style is amazing. is it from a series, do you know?
maybe start a jungnickel/nbr comparison by teaching us how to tell one's macaws from the other!
Regarding the header, I have some pretty assiduous readers and as you know yourself blogs thrive on novelty & scoops like journalism so I shall do a post.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought about a series, lotusgreen. I don't know but he probably did more, don't you think? I will try & research this but turning up Jungnickel isn't easy.