Karl Schmidt-Rottluff (1884-1976), Madchen mit Katze (Girl with Cat), drypoint, 1920, signed and inscribed with the artist’s work number 2015. Reference: Schapire R32; one of only a small number of impressions (there was no edition). In very good condition apart from slight mat staining in the outer margins (not affecting the image), crease bottom right margin corner, on a heavy wove paper, with margins, 9 3/8 x 7, the sheet 14 1/2 x 10 15/16 inches.

A very good impression printed in black ink on an ivory paper, with effective and strong burr from the drypoint, and printed with plate tone.

The influence of African primitivism and Cubism, critical to Schmidt-Rottluff’s work in the pre-War years, is of course evident in the girl’s head, and the composition as a whole; one wonders if the weary and contemplative look of the girl reflects Schmidt-Rottluff’s state of mind after the War.