Emil Orlik

Portrait of Albert Einstein

etching, proof impression, 5th state

1923

 

Emil Orlik (Prague 1870 - 1932 Berlin)

Portrait of Albert Einstein

etching

proof impression of 5th state

24 x 19,7 cm (plate), 39,8 x 29,3 cm (sheet)

1923

signed and dated lower right in pencil: Orlik 1923

inscribed lower left: 5. Zustand eigenh. Druck [5th state, impression by artist's own hand]

A rare proof impression, brilliant and of the highest quality.


Provenance

Collection Heinrich Stinnes (1867-1932) (collector's stamps, lower left, Lugt 4437 and Lugt 1376 d)

Private collection, Switzerland


Notes:

"Orlik knew Einstein from Berlin and had portrait photographs sent from America for the etching. Along with Peter Behrens, Marc Chagall, Arnold Schönberg and Franz Werfel, Einstein was one of the influential members of the Board of Trustees of the Bauhaus Circle of Friends [Kuratorium des Bauhaus-Freundeskreises]."  B

The experimental confirmation of the theory of relativity in November 1919 had made front-page news across the world, and made Einstein arguably the most famous scientist in history.  Orlik's 1923 etching is one of the earliest attempts to commercialize an artistic image of Einstein.
Contact:
Jack Daulton
The Daulton Collection
Los Altos Hills, California
info@symbolismus.com

Instagram: @thedaultoncollection