Max Klinger (1857-1920) 

"Evocation" 

1891

etching with copper engraving and mezzotint on firm Simili-Japan paper

29 x 36,2 cm

proof impression of the second state of six

in pencil signed and dated lower right: "M. Klinger 11. [oder 12.?] 2.91"

Singer (catalogue raisonne) 201 II (of VI).

A rare signed proof of Sheet 20 of the portfolio Brahmphantasie, Opus XII; Singer only knew of four impressions of the second state. 

Magnificent, differentiated and velvety test print before numbers with a wide margin. 

In the lower margin, a collector's inscription in pencil, occasionally slight rubbing and signs of wear in the white margins, and slight traces of old mounting on verso; otherwise very well preserved.

"Johannes Brahms had stated in 1885 that he hoped that Max Klinger would visualize his works, and the artist was finally able to hand over the first copy of his efforts in 1893. The result was a total work of art (Gesamtkunstwerk) that, although Brahms and Wagner saw themselves as antipodes, perfectly combined the Wagnerian concept with Brahms' work. In the present 'Evocation,' Klinger introduces the second part of the pictorial fantasies on Brahm's themes and lets the mythical battle of the Olympians and Titans rage dramatically in the background."  B

In a letter dated December 29, 1893, Brahms thanked Klinger: "looking at [your images,] it is as if the music continues to sound infinite and say everything I would have liked to say, more clearly than music can, and yet just as mysterious and foreboding." (quoted from Karl-Heinz Mehnert in: Max Klinger : Zeichnungen, Zustandsdrucke, Zyklen, eds. Jo-Anne Birnie Danzker and Tilman Falk, Museum Villa Stuck, Munich, 1996).

Max Klinger (1857-1920) 

"Nacht" ["Night"]

Sheet 21 of the portfolio Brahmphantasie, Opus XII

1894

aquatint etching with drypoint on imitation (simili) Japan paper

proof impression of the second state

27,5 x 38,3 cm (plate); 61 x 49,5 cm (sheet)

in pencil at lower right monogrammed "M.K." and dated "4.9.94"

in pencil at lower right inscribed "2. Z. 1. Dr." (2nd state, 1st impression)

The Daulton Collection

Singer (catalogue raisonne) 203 II (of VI); Singer knew of four impressions of the second state, each dated "4.9.94" 

Provenance:

ex coll. Georg Hirzel (1868-1924), Leipzig (with the blind stamp, bottom right, "Sammlung Georg Hirzel"), the noted publisher, arts patron, and collector, who acquired choice impressions directly from the artist

Seized from Georg Hirzel’s heirs, and later given to the Museum der bildenden Künste, Leipzig

Restituted to the Hirzel family after 1990

Villa Grisebach, Berlin, 4 June 1993, Lot 141

Max Klinger (1857-1920) 

"Raub des Lichtes" ["Theft of Light"]

circa 1890-94

etching and mezzotint on rolled china on copperplate paper

25 x 33,4 cm (plate), 58,5 x 45,5 cm (sheet)

trial proof 

in pencil signed lower right: "M.Klinger"

Singer (catalogue raisonné) 204 III (of V), completed trial proof with engraved number in upper right.  Hans Wolfgang Singer, Max Klinger, Radierungen, Stiche, und Steindrucke, 1878-1903 (Berlin: Amsler & Ruthardt, 1909) [Hans Wolfgang Singer, Max Klinger, Etchings, Engravings, and Lithographs, 1878-1903, English trans. Bernd K. Estabrook (San Francisco: Alan Wofsy Fine Arts, 1991)].

a rare signed trial proof of Sheet 22 of the portfolio Brahmsphantasie, Opus XII 

Max Klinger (1857-1920) 

"Das Fest (Reigen)" ["The Festival (Dance)"]

1894

etching and aquatint on Simili-Japan paper

25,1 x 35,1 cm

proof impression of the third state of nine

The Daulton Collection

Singer (catalogue raisonne) 205 III (of IX).

A rare early, unfinished proof of Sheet 23 of the portfolio Brahmsphantasie, Opus XII.  Singer lists only three known examples of the third state.  

A magnificent, velvety impression with the (probably) full margin. 

Condition: minimally light-stained in the passepartout cutout; slightly stained lower left in the white margin; small pencil numbering and small trace of blue pencil lower right; minimally broken on the upper left next to the platemark; slight pinch folds from the print on the left; otherwise in very good condition.

Max Klinger (1857-1920) 

"Entführung des Prometheus" ["Abduction of Prometheus"]

1894

etching, engraving, and aquatint

27,8 x 38,7 cm (plate)

in pencil signed lower right: "M.Klinger"

The Daulton Collection

Singer (catalogue raisonné) 206 III V or VI (first or second edition of completed print).  Hans Wolfgang Singer, Max Klinger, Radierungen, Stiche, und Steindrucke, 1878-1903 (Berlin: Amsler & Ruthardt, 1909) [Hans Wolfgang Singer, Max Klinger, Etchings, Engravings, and Lithographs, 1878-1903, English trans. Bernd K. Estabrook (San Francisco: Alan Wofsy Fine Arts, 1991)].

a rare signed trial proof of Sheet 24 of the portfolio Brahmsphantasie, Opus XII  

Max Klinger (1857-1920) 

"Ritter Tod" ["Knight Death"]

1891

etching on Simili-Japan paper

27,7 x 16,5 cm

proof impression of the third state of five (the third state is the finished plate)

in pencil signed lower right: "M.Klinger"

Singer (catalogue raisonne) 220 III (of V).

a rare signed proof of Sheet 38 of the portfolio Brahmsphantasie, Opus XII.  

A superb impression with wide margin. 

Slight crease marks in the outer white margin, otherwise in very good condition.

Provenance:

Otto Illies (1881-1951), the German painter, thence by descent to his daughter Heilwig Illies, Naumburg, from the previous owner acquired.

Max Klinger (1857-1920) 

"Der brefreite Prometheus" ["Prometheus Unbound"]

1892

etching, engraving, mezzotint, and aquatint

24,7 x 33,3 cm (plate)

trial proof of the second state of five

in pencil signed lower right: "Klinger. 17. 2. 92  2.Z.1.Dr. [2nd state, 1st impression"

Singer (catalogue raisonné) 223 II (of V).  Hans Wolfgang Singer, Max Klinger, Radierungen, Stiche, und Steindrucke, 1878-1903 (Berlin: Amsler & Ruthardt, 1909) [Hans Wolfgang Singer, Max Klinger, Etchings, Engravings, and Lithographs, 1878-1903, English trans. Bernd K. Estabrook (San Francisco: Alan Wofsy Fine Arts, 1991)].

a rare, signed trial proof of the second state of Sheet 41 of the portfolio Brahmsphantasie, Opus XII  

Max Klinger (1857-1920) 

"Der brefreite Prometheus" ["Prometheus Unbound"]

circa 1893-94

etching, engraving, mezzotint, and aquatint

24,7 x 33,3 cm (image)

trial proof of the third state of five (the third state is the finished plate)

in pencil signed lower right: "M.Klinger"

Singer (catalogue raisonné) 223 III (of V).  Hans Wolfgang Singer, Max Klinger, Radierungen, Stiche, und Steindrucke, 1878-1903 (Berlin: Amsler & Ruthardt, 1909) [Hans Wolfgang Singer, Max Klinger, Etchings, Engravings, and Lithographs, 1878-1903, English trans. Bernd K. Estabrook (San Francisco: Alan Wofsy Fine Arts, 1991)].

a rare signed trial proof of Sheet 41 of the portfolio Brahmsphantasie, Opus XII