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Aquatint etchings on Chinese paper Germany, Nuremberg, 1881 Published by Theo Ströfer Kunstverlag Max Klinger (1857-1920) - German sculptor, painter and illustrator Complete with 12 compositions In original portfolio with title cover Plates I. and XII. signed and dated All plates print signed Max Klinger and numbered Dimensions of the plates: 59.5 x 44.8 cm Provenance: German private collection Etchings by Max Klinger fetch up to more than 40,000 Euros at international auctions The portfolio comprises 12 aquatint etchings by the German artist Max Klinger, which were published in 1881 under the title 'Intermezzi'. The illustrations are not conceived as a coherent sequence but rather as individual scenes partially populated with animals and mythical creatures, characteristic of the Symbolist movement. With stark chiaroscuro and a fine elaboration of the lines the artist has created impressive scenarios where dream and reality merge. On the portfolio cover the compositions are titled as follows: '1. Bär und Elfe [Bear and Elf], 2. Am Meer [By the Sea], 3. Verfolgter Centaur [Haunted Centaur], 4. Mondnacht [Moon Night], 5. Kämpfende Centauren [Fighting Centaurs], 6. Bergsturz [Landslide], 7. Simplici Schreibstunde [Simplici Writing Lesson], 8. Simplicius am Grabe des Einsiedlers [Simplicius at the Hermit's Grave], 9. Simplicius unter den Soldaten [Simplicius amongst Soldiers], 10. Simplicius in der Wald-Einöde [Simplicius in the Forest Wasteland], 11. Gefallener Reiter [Fallen Horseman], 12. Amor, Tod und Jenseits [Cupid, Death and the Afterlife]'. The sheets are browned along the margins and partially foxed, especially outside the plates. There are minor marginal blemishes and damp stains here and there. Sheet number 'X.' shows a laceration on the lower border outside of the plate. All sheets are print signed 'Max Klinger' and numbered from 'I.' to 'XII.'. The plates I. and XII. are signed 'Max Klinger' and dated '1880' and '1819/1880' respectively in the plate. The portfolio is in fair condition according to its age. The cover is loose. On the front and back the corners show material loss, there are visible stains and discolourations. The sheets measure 59.5 x 44.8 cm each. Max Klinger (1857-1920) Max Klinger was born in 1857 in Leipzig. In 1874 he started studying at the Grand Ducal-Saxon Academy of Fine Art in Karlsruhe under Karl Gussow and Ludwig Des Coudres, later at the Royal Academy of Arts in Berlin. His artistic role model at the time was the painter, draughtsman and illustrator Adolph Menzel. In 1878 Klinger exhibited his first works. He translated many of his sketches into aquatint etchings. From 1881 Klinger had a studio in Berlin, were he created works like 'Intermezzi' (Opus IV) and 'Amor und Psyche' (Opus V). Later he moved to Paris and travelled through Europe, especially Italy and Greece. During this time many of his most famous works, including many etchings and sculptures, were created. These were popular and much coveted by educated middle-class. Many artist of the early 20th Century, such as Käthe Kollwitz, Max Beckmann or Max Ernst, were inspired by Klinger and his work. A large part of Klinger's oeuvre is nowadays held at the Museum of Fine Art in Leipzig.