Der Lesende (15. Jahresblatt). 1945.
Woodcut.
Ebner/Gabelmann 871 H II (of II). Dube H 377). Signed and dated. Lower left inscribed "15. Jahresblatt". On wove paper. 14.2 x 10.5 cm (5.5 x 4.1 in). Sheet: 25 x 16,4 cm (9,8 x 6,5 in).
Published as 15th annual sheet, 1946. In 1930, Heckel started the tradition of sending a print, usually a woodcut, with a symbolic message as New Year greeting to friends. Up until 1968, some 38 of these "Jahresblätter" (Annual Sheets) were made. [EH].
• The annual sheets were made for collectors and friends of Erich Heckel.
• The double portrait shows a reader and an owl person as symbol of wisdom.
• Other copies are at the Altonaer Museum, Hamburg, the Museum Folkwang, Essen and in the artist's estate in Hemmenhofen.

PROVENANCE: Hermann Gerlinger Collection, Würzburg (with the collector's stamp, Lugt 6032).

EXHIBITION: Schleswig-Holsteinisches Landesmuseum, Schloss Gottorf, Schleswig (permanent loan from the Hermann Gerlinger Collection, 1995-2001).
Kunstmuseum Moritzburg, Halle an der Saale (permanent loan from the Hermann Gerlinger Collection, 2001-2017).
Buchheim Museum, Bernried (permanent loan from the Hermann Gerlinger Collection, 2017-2022).

LITERATURE: Heinz Spielmann (ed.), Die Maler der Brücke. Sammlung Hermann Gerlinger, Stuttgart 1995, p. 337, SHG no. 535 (with illu.).
Hermann Gerlinger, Katja Schneider (eds.), Die Maler der Brücke. Inventory catalog Hermann Gerlinger Collection, Halle (Saale) 2005, p. 249, SHG no. 559 (with illu.).

In good condition. Margins minimally wavy.