This exquisite early 20th-century etching by German artist Georg Jahn (1869-1940) depicts a young woman standing before a mystical garden.
She dominates the frame with her bold androgynous figure creating a pillar of strength.
Jahn was nothing short of a genius. His near-photographic etchings weave a rich narrative for the viewer to untangle. They’re deep with emotion yet carry a sense of finesse reminiscent of the Old Masters. His approach has been referred to as ‘lyrical realism’ which seems to sum it up. On one hand, there’s pinpoint execution and extraordinary detail, while on the other, there’s a story.
His works are engaging as they leave gaps for the viewer to interpret. Examine this piece closely, how do you read it? Is this an alternative version of the Garden of Eden? Or is she Mother Nature? Could this be a commentary on female strength and sensuality? Her stature is remarkable and there’s a timeless quality to the piece. It reminds us, in some respects, of the 15th-century painter Hans Memling, yet it could also be hung with contemporary works.
Expression in art is often witnessed through artistic handling such as bold expressive brushwork. But here, we see an artist imbuing a piece with emotion through precise lines. But of course, as Jahn would’ve known, true feeling doesn’t arrive through the artist’s tools - it’s derived from us.
Signed in pencil, framed and glazed.
Medium: Etching on paper
Overall size: 22” x 21” / 57cm x 54cm
Year of creation: 1902
Condition: Artwork presents well.
Artist’s auction highlight: £2,294 achieved for an etching in 2018.
Georg Jahn trained at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts and the Grand-Ducal Saxon Art School in Weimar. He’s represented in various public collections including in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, and Vienna.
Learn more about Georg Jahn in our directory.
We care profoundly about our role as custodians and every piece in the collection has been assessed by our conservator. When required, we undertake professional restoration carefully using reversible techniques and adopt a light touch to retain the aged charm of each work. We also often restore frames rather than replace them as many are original and selected by the artists themselves.
