Max Klinger (1857-1920)
"Nächtliche Lektüre" ["Nocturnal Reading"]
also known as "Mephisto in der Studierstube" ["Mephisto in his Study"]
1879
pen and black ink and brush drawing in gray on wove paper, mounted on cardboard by artist
on the sheet signed lower left "Max Klinger" and lower right inscribed and dated "Bruxelles 1879"
on the cardboard mount lower left, again signed by the artist, inscribed, and dated: "Max Klinger. Bruxelles 1879."
on the cardboard mount lower center, titled by the artist: "Nächtliche Lektüre"
8,2 x 13,1 cm (image)
20 x 21 cm (sheet)
32,4 x 26 cm (cardboard mount)
condition: paper slightly foxed and with small water spots on the upper edge; drawing with small rubbings; cardboard mount slightly browned, more so under the old passepartout.
The Daulton Collection
South German private collection
Publication History:
Discussion:
This drawing is a highly-finished study for an etching of 1880; see Singer catalogue raisonné, no. 258.
"This composition with its enigmatic motif shows the virtuosity and expressive power that the young artist already possessed. Klinger lived in Brussels from April 1879 as a student of the historical painter Emile Wauters." KF
["Diese Komposition mit ihrem rätselhaften Motiv belegt, über welch zeichnerische Virtuosität und expressive Kraft bereits der junge Künstler verfügte. Klinger lebte seit April 1879 als Schüler des Historienmalers Emile Wauters in Brüssel."] KF
