Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #116 begins on 11 Jul 2024

[Corinth (Lovis)]

DAS BUCH JUDITH, In der Übersetzung von Martin Luther

Mit originallithographieen von Lovis Corinth

Published: Pan-Presse (Verlag Paul Cassirer), Berlin, 1910

Edition: First Edition

Reserve: $250

Approximately:

Estimate: $350/450

Bidding opens: 11 Jul 16:30 GMT

Bidding closes: 18 Jul 16:30 GMT

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The edition comprises 310 copies, this is one of 250 printed on copperplate engraving paper. (60 copies were printed on special Strathmore Japan paper), original black cloth titled gilt on the upper cover and along the spine - the cloth is worn at the top and bottom of the spine, marbled endpapers with cloth hinges, top edge gilt, 22 coloured lithographs including pictorial initials and ornaments, a very good copy.

 MoMA, German Expressionism (https://www.moma.org/s/ge/collection_ge/objbyppib/objbyppib_ppib-14_sov_page-4.html) ‘Lovis Corinth combined naturalism with expressive evocations of a romanticized Orient in this lavishly illustrated version of the Book of Judith from the Bible. His twenty-two color lithographs, which included eight full-page dramatic plates as well as playful vignettes and ornamental initials, highlight pivotal scenes from Martin Luther's translation of the story. In this interpretation, Judith, a chaste widow, saves her people by beheading the sleeping Holofernes, whose army has besieged her city, Bethulia. Corinth's sensuous use of color heightens the narrative's emotional power and theatricality. In the key scene, Corinth places Judith, blade raised above Holofernes, in front of a blood-red curtain. In an illustration titled Victory Dance, a red-headed woman leads a group of revelers in ecstatic celebration of the freedom gained through Judith's bloody act. The story was enormously popular in Germany in the early twentieth century as a symbol of female heroism but also, more darkly, as an allegory of the dangers of female empowerment.’

  • Overall Condition: A very good copy
  • Size: Folio (42 x 330 mm)


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