Irrer Soldat. 1916.
Lithograph.
Dube L 232. Ebner/Gabelmann 691 L I (of II). Signed, dated "Gent 1916" and titled. One of the hand-made prints from before the edition published by Paul Cassirer, Berlin 1920. On wove paper. 32.5 x 27 cm (12.7 x 10.6 in). Sheet: 51,5 x 39,5 cm (20,3 x 15,6 in).
The painting "Irrer Soldat" (1916, Hünecke 1916-2) with almost the same motif is in the Brücke-Museum, Berlin. [JS].
• Striking war document in which Heckel addresses the terrors of the war and his experience as a paramedic.
• One of the rare hand-made prints from the first state before the plate was narrowed for the edition published by Paul Cassirer, Berlin, in 1920.
• Made in Gent during WW I, where Heckel served as paramedic from March 4 to August 3, 1916.
• Heckel used two lithography stones that he had found in an abandoned house.
• To date only one other hand-made print from the first state was offered on the international auction market (www.artprice.com).

PROVENANCE: Hermann Gerlinger Collection, Würzburg (with the collector's stamp on the reverse, Lugt 6032).

EXHIBITION: Schleswig-Holsteinisches Landesmuseum, Schloss Gottorf, Schleswig (permanent loan from the Hermann Gerlinger Collection, 1995-2001).
Kunstmuseum Moritzburg, Halle an der Saale (permanent loan from the Hermann Gerlinger Collection, 2001-2017).
Buchheim Museum, Bernried (permanent loan from the Hermann Gerlinger Collection, 2017-2022).
Erich Heckel. Einfühlung und Ausdruck, Buchheim Museum, Bernried, October 31, 2020 – March 7, 2021, p. 242 (fig.).

LITERATURE: Heinz Spielmann (ed.), Die Maler der Brücke. Sammlung Hermann Gerlinger, Stuttgart 1995, p. 299, SHG no. 451 (fig.).
Hermann Gerlinger, Katja Schneider (eds.), Die Maler der Brücke. Inventory catalog Hermann Gerlinger Collection, Halle (Saale) 2005, p. 209, SHG no. 471 (fig.).

"I found two litho stones in an abandoned house and did not hesitate to use them."

Erich Heckel, letter from June 11, 1916, copy in the estate's archive.

"Since I got the stones here I cam draw on them and make my own hand proofs, and then one on transfer paper for Berlin."
Erich Heckel, letter from June 11, 1916, copy in the estate's archive.

In good condition. Evenly discolored, minimal mount staining. Left edge minimally crimped. Broad margin with isolated color traces from the making and with small isolated stains and rubbings.