Abstract Structure by Johnny Friedlaender

This is an abstract etching and aquatint. Friedlaender created bold graphic visuals, but the images are not representational in any sense. The piece does give the impression of structures (a wall and two towers) against a grey landscape. The work is very colorful and uses more opaque inks which is typical of his output from this time period. Geometric patterns are also evident. A striking work that is representative of this period.
The image is in very good condition. It is framed and floated so the entire sheet is visible. It is well-struck and inked with no fading. There are no condition issues including no tears, toning, or paper loss. It is not signed, which is a bit unusual, however there are some marginal notes in pencil suggesting this was a trial proof of some kind. The work is unmistakably Friedlaender and was obtained from a collection with several other signed works. The framed size is 27.5 x 35 inches. The sheet is 22 x 30 inches and the image is 19 x 26 3/8 inches. A striking work by this influential post-war artist.
Johnny Friedlaender (1912-1992) was born in Germany and did his studies in Breslau with Otto Mueller. Prior to WWII he exhibited extensively throughout Europe including a very successful exhibit in The Hague. He moved to France in 1937 to escape Nazi persecution, but ultimately spent 4 years in concentration camps before being liberated in 1944. He ultimately became a French citizen.
Friedlaender is credited with taking the medium of aquatint etching to new heights. He effectively used this technique to create his abstract visions. They are characterized by striking colors and dramatic designs. He ultimately exhibited all over the world. In 1957 he was the recipient of the Biennial Kakamura Prize in Tokyo and the Lovis Corinth prize in 1981. He became an influential teacher accepting a teaching post awarded by UNESCO at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro and ultimately teaching out of his studio in Paris. A major retrospective of his work was held at the Musee dArt Moderne de la Ville de Paris in 1978. In 1987 the Kunsthalle Bremen mounted a retrospective of his work on the occasion of his seventy-fifth birthday. In 1992 Johnny Friedlaender died in Paris, where he had spent most of his adult life. His work is held by major museums around the world.