14.00 USD
Lovely nude by H. C. Kosel (1867-1945), circa 1905. H.C. Kosel, or Hermann Clement Kosel, was the pseudonym of Armin Clementi, a Czech bookbinder who became a very influential photographer (particularly in the pictorialist school), writer and printer in Vienna, Austria. Given his work, we can't say whether or not this engraving is a pictorialist treatment of a photograph.
Kosel's son (also called Hermann), was a graphic artist. He married Nelly Wengraf, a Jew, and in 1938 following the anschluss ( the German annexation of Austria), fled to Switzerland to escape the Nazis.
His father did not leave the country, but perhaps because of his association with his son, or his status within the arts and intellectual community of Vienna and his political views, was deprived of his right to work. He passed away in Vienna in 1945.
B.K.W., this postcard's publisher, was Brüder Kohn Wien, or the Kohn Brothers of Vienna, founded in 1898 by Salomon (1873-1945), Adolf, and Alfred Kohn.
These were very important art publishers in Vienna, who were involved, at the very least on the periphery, in the Viennese Secession movement, and later with the Wiener Werkstätte.
In their home, Salomon Kohn and his wife Gusti hosted artists, musicians, scientists, writers, etc., essentially the cream of the Viennese intelligentsia. We assume it's likely that Armin Clementi (H.C. Kosel) was also a member of this circle.
In 1938, again following the Anschluss, Salomon Kohn, who was a Jew, was deprived of the right to own his company, but continued working there as an employee until 1942, when he and his wife were arrested and deported to Auschwitz, where they died a few months before the end of the war, in 1945.
We love our cards and are fascinated by the world that produced them. When we look at the lives and art of the people involved in their production, these little postcards, in addition to affording us the pleasure of their images, offer us amazing windows through which to view history, its beauty and romance, and yes, sometimes its tragedy too.
A very nice unposted card, showing minor wear to edges corners and surface. Please examine our high res scans for detail.
The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.
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redpoulaine.blogspot.com
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