Kerzentänzerinnen. 1917.
Woodcut.
Schiefler/Mosel/Urban H 127 V (of V). Signed. According to Nolde's documentation, 13 copies of this printing state were made. Another 8 copies of the other states were printed. On firm off-white paper. 30.5 x 23.8 cm (12 x 9.3 in). Sheet: 41,3 x 33,8 cm (16,2 x 13,3 in).
[JS].
• Nolde's "Kerzentänzerinnen"- characterized by an expressive force and a mystical exotic appeal.
• The eccentric motif of this rare hand-made print is based on one Nolde's most significant expressionist painting: the "Kerzentänzerinnen" from 1912 (Nolde Foundation Seebüll).
• The fascination for expressive free dance is one of the key motifs of German Expressionism.
• In those days Nolde, Kirchner, Pechstein, Jawlensky, Kandinsky and many others were fascinated by the expressive value of modern dance.
• The traditions of ritual dances in many exotic cultures offered inspiration for the dance and art avant-garde at the beginning of the 20th century.
• Rare. To date only a maximum of six other hand-printed copies of this woodcut have been offered on the international auction market (source: www.artprice.com).

PROVENANCE: Kornfeld und Klipstein, Bern, auction 153, 1974.
Private collection Hesse (acquired from the above, ever since family-owned).