Gertrud Mediz

The Returner

circa 1915,

pencil on paper
 

Gertrud Mediz [Krems, Austria 1893-1975 (1935?) Zurich], also known as Gertrude (sometimes Gertrud or Trude) Honzatko (sometimes Hozatko)-Mediz 


illustration for the Joseph von Eichendorff poem "Der Umkehrende" ["The Returner"], a study for an etching


circa 1915


pencil on paper

34,5 x 27,8 cm (sheet)


lengthy inscription lower left


verso with pencil studies of a woman's head (possibly a self-portrait)


The Jack Daulton Collection


The Daulton Collection thanks Dr. Elmar R. Gruber (Collection Of Mediumistic Art, CoMA, www.mediumistic.art), who is perhaps the world's leading authority on Gertrud Mediz, for his identification of the subject of this esoteric drawing as an illustration related to the poem ""Der Umkehrende."


In personal e-mail communication from Dr. Gruber to Jack Daulton on December 3, 2025, he pointed out:


"This is a drawing for one of the etchings for her [Gertrud Mediz's] beautiful large-format self-published book of poems by Joseph von Eichendorff with etched dedication sheet, 12 etchings partly rolled on blue China, illustrated title and 12 illustrated borders (no place and publisher, around 1915. 52.5 x 42 cm).  It is the drawing for the last etching in the book illustrating just one verse from the poem 'Der Umkehrende' (The Returner) noted on the drawing and printed on a separate illustrated page in the book."
view of full sheet with inscription:
detail showing inscription:
Dr. Gruber deciphered and identified the inscription as a verse from Joseph von Eichendorff poem "Der Umkehrende" ["The Returner"]:

"Hier bin ich, Herr! Gegrüßt das Licht,

Das durch die stille Schwüle

Der müden Brust gewaltig bricht

Mit seiner strengen Kühle.

Nun bin ich frei! Ich taumle noch

Und kann mich noch nicht fassen –

O Vater, Du erkennst mich doch,

Und wirst nicht von mir lassen!"

 

Dr. Gruber also translated the verse into English:

 

"Here I am, Lord! Hail to the light,

Which through the silent sultriness

Of the weary breast breaks mightily

With its stern coolness.

Now I am free! I am still reeling

And cannot yet comprehend—

O Father, You recognize me,

And will not forsake me!"
verso with two pencil studies of a woman's head by Gertrud Mediz, possibly self-portraits:
contact:
Jack Daulton
The Jack Daulton Collection
thedaultoncollection@outlook.com