212 - Alfred Kubin* (Litoměřice 1877 - 1959 Wernstein am Inn)

Alfred Kubin* (Litoměřice 1877 - 1959 Wernstein am Inn) Searching for a letter indian ink and watercolor/paper 24,5 x 17,5 cm monogrammed K, titled Briefsuche SCHÄTZPREIS / ESTIMATE € 1200 - 2400 STARTPREIS / STARTING PRICE € 1200 Alfred Kubin was an Austrian graphic artist and writer whose work is characterized by dark, psychologically charged imagery. In 1898, he moved to Munich, where he studied under Nikolaus Gysis while also pursuing self-directed study. His work was shaped by artists such as Ensor, Max Klinger, Munch, and Redon, as well as by influences from Symbolism, Romanticism, and mythology. Kubin held his first exhibition in Berlin in 1902. He found important patrons in Max Dauthendey and Hans von Weber; the "Weber Portfolio" of 1903 marked his breakthrough. His drawings, lithographs, and tempera paintings—mostly executed in ink—blend the fantastic, horror, grotesque imagery, and the dream world. In 1910, he illustrated Oskar Panizza’s Das Liebeskonzil (The Council of Love), and from 1912 onwards, he worked for the magazine Simplicissimus. During the First World War, Kubin engaged with psychoanalysis, psychology, and philosophy. An exploration of dreams and the subconscious—including within the circle of Sigmund Freud—is central to his work. Although he cannot be directly classified as a Surrealist, his visionary imagery anticipated the movement. In 1909, Kubin co-founded the Neue Künstlervereinigung München (New Artists' Association of Munich) alongside Wassily Kandinsky, Gabriele Münter, Marianne von Werefkin, and others. This group gave rise to Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider), and Kubin participated in its second exhibition in 1912. He illustrated around 60 books, including works by Dostoevsky, Edgar Allan Poe, and Elias Canetti. Kubin became a member of the Prussian Academy of Arts in 1930 and the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts in 1949; he was also a member of the Prague Secession. In 1931, he created the stage design for Richard Billinger’s Rauhnacht. During the Nazi era, 63 of his works were confiscated as "degenerate art." In 1955, he bequeathed his estate to the Republic of Austria. After Kubin's death, it was divided between the Albertina and the Upper Austrian State Museum. PLEASE NOTE: The purchase price consists of the highest bid plus the buyer's premium, sales tax and, if applicable, the fee of artists resale rights and platform fee. In the case of normal taxation (marked ° at the estimate), a premium of 24% is added to the highest bid. The mandatory sales tax is added to the sum of the highest bid, the buyer's premium and platform fee. This amounts to 13% for paintings, drawings, graphic works and sculptures and 20% for photographs and all other items. The buyer's premium amounts to 28% in case of differential taxation. The sales tax is included in the differential taxation.