Fidus (Luebeck 1868-1948 Woltersdorf bei Berlin), also known as Hugo Hoeppener

"Lucifer" 

1891

pencil on firm wove paper, mounted on cardboard

sheet 21 x 15.5 cm

titled, initialed, and dated in pencil lower center: "Lucifer  f. 4. X 91."

verso inscribed in pencil: "Geist, Berlin"

The Daulton Collection 

Condition: verso mounted on cardboard along the upper edge of the sheet; edges of the sheet irregular; minimally browned.

Provenance: Estate of Hans-Friedrich Geist (1901-1978), the German illustrator, author, and art educator, who was the artistic director of the Lübeck Overbeck Society [Leiter der Overbeck Gesellschaft in Lübeck]

Discussion:

Commentary from the auction catalogue (JvV): 

Strahlenumflorte, jugendliche Gestalt eines Lucifer, der für Fidus ein "prometheischer Lichtbringer" ist, "kein Abgefallener, sondern in erster Linie Gottessohn, der mit dem Licht auch das Ich-Bewusstsein unter die Menschen trägt" (Frecot/Geist/Krebs, S. XV). 

English language translation of auction catalogue commentary: Radiance-surrounded, youthful figure of Lucifer, who for Fidus is a "Promethean bringer of light," "not an apostate, but primarily the son of God, who with the light also carries self-consciousness among people" (Frecot/Geist/Krebs, p. XV) [quoting Janos Frecot, Johann Friedrich Geist, Diethart Kerbs, Fidus 1868-1949. Zur ästhetischen Praxis bürgerlicher Fluchtbewegungen, München 1972, at p. XV].