ECCE HOMO [EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED WITH ORIGINAL WATERCOLOURS BY THE ARTIST] by GROSZ, George:

Berlin: Malik Verlag. [1923]. First edition, this copy being one of "Ausgabe C", the most complete state of this work (containing the same number of illustrations as state A, but with the illustrations unsigned). First edition, this copy being one of "Ausgabe C", the most complete state of this work (containing the same number of illustrations as state A, but with the illustrations unsigned). Signed and extra-illustrated by the artist with a watercolour dedication page inscribed to Bernard Quint. Also with an original watercolour and ink illustration on card by Grosz of a human heart constrained by barbed wire, cut to shape by the artist and inscribed in ink, loosely laid in, along with a typed letter, elaborately signed from Grosz in blue and purple ink, on his headed paper, to Bernard Quint, with original mailing envelope. Folio. Publisher's original illustrated card wrappers. Illustrated with 16 colour aquarelles and 84 black and white lithographs. A very good copy indeed, the binding square and firm with a little wear to the spine ends. The contents, with a little wear to the gutter edge of the front free endpaper (the watercolour dedication page) is otherwise in very good order and clean throughout, with the illustrations remaining bright and the colours bold. Housed in a bespoke, quarter black morocco solander case. Inscribed by George Grosz in blue and red watercolour on the front free endpaper "To Bernard / Quint / to remember his visit / to the cottage / and a nice little talk / George Grosz / Huntington Long Island Jan[?] 1954", the inscription incorporating a red watercolour drawing of a crossed brush and pencil. The additional watercolour of a heart covered in barbed wire inscribed in black ink "To Bernie Quint / from George Grosz / Febr.18, 54." A wonderful extra-illustrated copy of this famous work of German expressionism, containing two original watercolours by Grosz. A prominent member of the Berlin Dada and New Objectivity groups during the Weimar Republic, Grosz was an early critic of the Nazis, who would later condemn his work as 'degenerate' and seize and destroy many of his paintings. Emigrating to the United States in 1933, shortly before Hitler came to power, Grosz settled in New York and later in Huntington, Long Island, where he continued to paint and teach. In the present work, Grosz provides a rich, satirical depiction of Berlin and the Weimar Republic during the 1920s, getting under the skin of German life and morality through a focus on his most frequently visited subjects: drinking and gambling in late night bars, nefarious criminal activities, corpulent businessmen, wounded soldiers, prostitutes, sex crimes and orgies. Accused of being a slanderous attack upon the army, its publication led Grosz to be prosecuted for "offences against public morality and for besmirching the values of the German people", leading to the removal of 5 colour plates and 17 black and white plates from the portfolio (all present here), and a fine of 6,000 marks (Kranzfelder, p.59). The recipient Bernard Quint (1914-1982), was a noted graphic designer and photo editor. In the 1950s and 60s he worked as art director for "Life Magazine", during which time he pioneered the photo essay form of journalism. His job put him in contact with the great photographers and artists of the twentieth century, many of whom he befriended. Further details and images for any of the items listed are available on request. Lucius Books welcomes direct contact with our customers.