Three Objects by Johnny Friedlaender

This is an abstract etching and aquatint I've titled Three Objects. Friedlaender created bold graphic visuals, but the images are not representational in any sense. The piece does give the impression of structures against a grey landscape but what they represent is left to the viewer. The work is very colorful and uses more opaque inks to generate a surface 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 pristine condition. It is well struck with bright colors. No paper loss, tears, fading, foxing, toning, or other issues are visible. It is framed and matted. The framing materials appear to be archival, but it has not been examined out of the frame. It is signed in pencil Friedlaender lower right. Initials EA (Epreuve Artiste or Artist Proof) are in pencil lower left. The framed size is 20.75 x 28.55 inches. The image is 10.25 x 10.25 inches. The square format is unusual for the artist. 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.