Am Gänsehäufel in Wien
Emil Orlik (1870-1932), Am Gänsehäufel in Wien, 1911, soft-ground etching, signed and dated in pencil lower right. In very good condition, on firm laid paper with margins, 5 1/2 x 8, the sheet 9 3/4 x 12 1/2 inches.
A fine impression of this great rarity; few impressions are known to exist. Printed on a cream colored laid paper in dark brownish/black ink.
In this splendid example of Orlik’s printmaking expertise, he may have used aquatint to achieve the solid areas of print and selected wiping of the plate to achieve shading; the burr on some of the figures suggests that he used the drypoint needle as well.
I am indebted to Alan Wolman, Orlik expert, for his pointing out that The Gänsehäufel was a popular swimming resort on the banks of the Danube, still existing today. (A treasury of Orlik information is available on his website www.orlikprints.com)