Oskar Graf, Gallerie Moderner Meister.

I found this at the Goodwill. I have researched Oskar Graf with Gallerie Morderner Meister and have come up empty handed. Supposedly, in the late 1800s, there was a book that was published with prints from artist. I have seen some examples of those prints but mine is different. In the box below the picture, on the other images, the artist and title are typed in the box. Mine clearly shows that information hand written. I've compaired the Oskar Graf signature on mine to examples of his signature on etchings. I think the look the same. The way the F at the end of his name is, along with the period or dot. I'm not sure when this was produced but looking at the other images online, it appears that this may be an earlier print. I had an expert translate the writing and he said it's a form of folksy old German. By what he could make out, he said it might read, "Distressed Mountain Climber..." The date that's on the image by his name is 90.

 

The Oskar Graf who was a printmaker that I'm finding the most often was born in 1873. So only 17 years old in 1890. And his prints that I can find do vary in style, but do not look like this type.

So I wonder about a different Oskar Graf. Perhaps you have found one already.

Also am seeing the prints you are referring to that are Gallerie Moderner Meister (Gallery of Modern Masters). Most sites do refer to them being published around 1890.

So far the only theory I have about the handwritten vs. printed caption is that your print may have been a proof or something? Have you taken it out of the frame to see whether it has the publisher's name under the caption as the others online do?

Fig

 

I have taken it out there's no writing about a publisher on it.

 

If you look up Oskar Graf etchings, you'll find some that look like this style and you'll be able to view his signature that looks alot like the one I have.

 

I'm thinking it's a proof. I didn't mention that the actual picture isn't printed on the same paper with the box below it. The picture look like it was adhered to the paper beneath it. That would would, to me, say that this might be a proof. That's with the hand writing signature, title for the picture and the picture being adhered, is that of the hand written title. Does that make sense. To me, when I see this, it looks like a template for a print.

 

"I didn't mention that the actual picture isn't printed on the same paper with the box below it. The picture look like it was adhered to the paper beneath it."

This strongly suggests to me that this is a sheet from one of those portfolios from late 19th C. Germany with tipped in photomechanical reproductions of paintings.

In this case the sheets were printed with the volume title only, leaving a blank cartouche for the individual painting title, artist, etc. [to be written in by hand].

On the face of it, it seems unlikely that the handwriting or signature is from the artist himself.

 

I've read where these portfolios where filled with mounted photos of art from the artist, on printed cardboard, with pasted title labels. There were also notations of the publishing company. The one I have, has no pasted labels or publishing notifications. If they were originally mounted, like mine, wouldn't mine also have all those other labels of publication, etc? All the pictures I've seen from these portfolios, have them. Could it be that this might be a pre-production of the publishing, since it's hand written and has no publication notes?

 

most probably from Gräf, Oscar (Graef) Plauen i.V. 1861 - 1912.
https://www.google.ch/search?q=osca...DUQsAQ#tbm=isch&q=oscar+gräf+graphik&imgdii=_

 

Fid, Those look a lot more like Armando's print to me.

 

Now I'm finding lots of things by that artist (1861-1912). The trick is the umlaut over the "a" in his last name.

https://www.dhm.de/lemo/bestand/objekt/g0001658

http://www.lot-tissimo.com/de/i/161...emaler-und-illustrator-schueler-der-dresdener

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Die_Gartenlaube_(1895)_b_029.jpg

 

"Could it be that this might be a pre-production of the publishing, since it's hand written and has no publication notes?"

I assume you've unframed it and examined the entire sheet.

If nothing there it could be a pre-lettering proof I suppose...although not signed by the artist himself.

I tend to think it was issued this way, to be filled in by hand...just personal opinion.

 

I have taken it out of the frame before and there was nothing else on the paper.