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Mortimer L. Menpes

1855 - 1938

The Old Market Square, Dresden by Mortimer L. Menpes
 

The Old Market Square, Dresden   c.1900

  Original drypoint.
Signed in pencil.
S 203 x 252 mm; P & I 152 x 201 mm
SOLD
 
Outstanding early proof impression printed in warm brown ink, with considerable plate tone. An exceptionally rich impression with the drypoint burr printing at its freshest. Clearly, one of the first impressions taken from the plate for the only edition of approximately 25 signed proofs, printed by the artist himself.

The Old Market Square, Dresden, shows the centre of this once splendid city as it was at the turn of the century. Once known as the Florence on the Elbe, because of its impressive architecture and fine museums, Dresden was the most heavily bombed of all German cities during the Second World War. Many of the historic buildings depicted in this elaborate drypoint were heavily damaged or destroyed. In this respect, M.L.Menpes’s drypoint is of considerable importance for its accurate topographical rendering of the city as it stood prior to this terrible damage.

On cream laid paper with full margins and deckle edge. Very good original condition.