The so-called "Zigeunermappe" (Gypsy Portfolio), on which Otto Mueller worked with great devotion, was the artist‘s last big graphic accomplishment. He send the following lines to Maschka Mueller, his divorced first wife: "I am very busy with the color lithographs, they will be very nice. I already have completed two and still have to make another seven for the portfolio. Once I‘m done I will send you trial proofs" (quote from: Lothar-Günther Buchheim, Otto Mueller - Leben und Werk, Feldafing 1963, p. 184). After printing, Otto Mueller worked the individual sheets over with watercolors or chalks, partly or entirely, so that every sheet has its very own appeal and unique character. The sheet "Zigeunermadonna" (Gypsy Madonna) can doubtlessly be considered the main work in the series. Otto Mueller adopted the traditional topos of the depiction of the Virgin Mary, the wheel behind the head inevitably turns into an aureola and the gypsy woman with the child clearly symbolizes Mary with the Infant Jesus. He renders this motif with thorough care, consciously taking the image to a higher transcendental level, particular as he felt very close to the Romani people. When the "Zigeunermappe" was made the artist had already fallen severely ill, which is why he had big hopes in a financially successful sale. Very few complete portfolios have survived and hardly one was offered on the market. For economic reasons he sold the sheets individually: as our sheet was signed by Otto Mueller it is guaranteed that it is one of the very few sheets sold in the artist‘s lifetime.