Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

The very rare lithograph printed in colbalt blue, pink, black and green, the colours fresh and vibrant, 1919, signed in pencil, inscribed H (?) 25, on wove paper, with wide margins (slightly irregular), in generally good condition apart from some small surface abrasions in the upper image in the green at centre left, a small thin spot to the inscription lower left, minor foxing in the lower margin, further slight scattered foxing, slight paper discoloration 

As catalogued. The work inscribed 'KLFS' in ink verso
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Berggruppe of 1919 constitutes a great rarity in Kirchner's graphic oeuvre. it is one of the exceptional colour lithographs which the artist printed himself by hand. As part of the painstaking process a single stone was repeatedly used for each colour requiring Kirchner to wipe the stone clean before applying the next colour. Dube describes impressions in 5 colours printed from five stones, it is now thought that this was not the case as evidenced by the present impression where residual ink from the same stone can be seen in the margins in two colours. This process gives each impression a unique character and it is thought that only two impressions in four colours exist.

We are grateful to Professor Günther Gercken for his assistance in cataloguing this work.