Georg Jahn Art

Medium: original etching. Printed in 1900 and published in Leipzig, Germany for Zeitschrift für Bildende Kunst. This impression is printed on cream wove paper, and the plate size is ...

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...

An original signed mezzotint etching on heavy wove paper by German artist Georg Jahn (1869-1940) titled "Bathers in a Grotto", c. 1905. Hand pencil signed by Jahn lower right. Beauti...

An original signed etching on heavy cream wove paper by German artist Georg Jahn (1869-1940) titled "By the Sea", c. 1905. Hand pencil signed by Jahn lower ...