The Merry Ones (Die Vergnugten; Red Light District)
Max Beckmann (1884-1950), The Merry Ones (Die Vergnugten; Red Light District), drypoint, 1912, signed and numbered in pencil (25/30). Reference: Hofmaier 53 BB. Published by I.B. Neumann, Berlin. In very good condition, on Strathore Japan paper (with the Strathmore Japan watermark), with margins, 4 5/8 x 7, the sheet 9 3/4 x 12 3/8 inches, archival mounting (non attached mylar hinging between acid free mat board, window mat).
A fine clear impression of this rarely encounterd early drypoint, with substantial burr from the drypoint work.
There were three trial proofs, then an edition of 10 proofs on Japan and 30 on imitation Japan numbered and signed.
Die Vergnugten is one of Beckmann’s first drypoints; before 1912 Beckmann’s prints were all lithographs, but in that year he began making drypoints and virtually abandoned lithography until 1919. This is one of the very few prints made before World War I, presaging the “Faces” series of the post-War period. The subject matter for these prints is street life, a departure from his previous focus on Biblical themes.
$4750