Reuzenreiger (1915)
Technique: Giclée quality print
Recommended by our customers
More about this artwork
This striking artwork is an intricate woodcut titled "Reuzenreiger" created by the Dutch artist Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita in 1915. The image captures the majestic form of a great heron delicately positioned beside what appears to be the edge of a wooden dock or barrier. The heron is depicted with pronounced, sweeping curves emphasizing its slender and elongated neck and the sleek, flowy texture of its feathers.Jessurun de Mesquita’s use of bold, contrasting lines and the interplay of light and shadow create a strong visual impact, giving this composition a dramatic and almost architectural structure. The background features vertical bars that may suggest a cage, juxtaposed against the freedom and elegance of the heron, possibly hinting at themes of confinement versus freedom. The minimalistic sunrise (or sunset) in the background adds a dimension of time and place, enhancing the serene yet somewhat melancholic atmosphere of the scene.This woodcut stands as a testament to Jessurun de Mesquita's skillful technique and his ability to evoke emotion and narrative through the simplicity of black and white imagery.
Delivery
Returns
Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita was a Dutch graphic artist active in the years before the Second World War. His pupils included graphic artist M. C. Escher (1898–1972). A Sephardic Jew, in his old age he was sent to Auschwitz by the Nazis, where he was gassed along with his wife. After the war, de Mesquita was largely forgotten.