Design for a portfolio by BUCHHOLZ, ERICH

[Berlin, n.d.].. Original composition in red gouache, black ink and gold metallic paint, on textured ochre leatherette, mounted on a red buckram slipcase, with inserted red buckram chemise and inner sleeve of white Bütten paper, reinforced with loose panels of cardboard. Painted panel: 368 x 275 mm. (ca. 14 1/2 x 10 3/4 inches). Slipcase: 423 x 325 mm. (ca. 16 5/8 x 12 3/4 inches). This large and majestically impressive handmade portfolio represents a variation of Buchholz’s painted wooden relief, “Roter Kreis im Goldkreis,” of 1922, of which Ingrid Weisenmayer has commented “Der Dreiklang der Farben Schwarz, Gold und Rot steigert die Wirkung der einzelnen Farben noch zusätzlich. Es ist charakteristisch, dass Buchholz, der sich so vehement von jeglicher Kunsttradition distanzieren wollte, auf mittelalterliche Traditionen zurückgreift, und diese in einen modernen Kontext stellt” (Weisenmayer, in Gassen/Mengden). Comparison might equally be made with another painted panel of 1923, Buchholz’s “Neue Tafel Nr. 70.” These and similar motifs were reprised by the artist many times, through late in his career. Slight rippling of the panel at foot; a little light rubbing, otherwise in fine, bright condition.