Description: Finnish artist Albert Edelfelt painted "Christ And Mary Magdalene" in 1890. We like how he painted Mary Magdalene in contemporary clothes and the northern-style setting/landscape, which helps the scene feel relatable. It is easy to imagine Jesus speaking the words from John 20:15 “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Description: We like the crisp outlines of the stern-faced stork and the absurdity of the supplicant crowned frog, as well as the bold colors that immediately draw the eye to the characters. This is plate 8 of the 1909 book "Komische Käuze" (Strange [Funny] Characters), illustrated by German artist Elisabeth Schellbach.
Description: We like the contented feeling of "In the Garden" by Finnish artist Eric O. W. Ehrström, dated 1920. She is wearing a hat, so the sun is probably out as she works in her garden, with beautiful flowers in bloom around her. Ehrstrom was an amazing talent. He wrote books, designed jewelry (including a crown for the King of Finland in 1918), designed room interiors, worked with metal to create items both small (ex. vases, boxes) and large (ex. copper doors), while also working with enamel, stained glass, lino prints, and more. He lived from 1881-1934.
Description: We like the excitement about industrial advancements in Grif Teller's "Giant Conquerers of Space and Time." Teller created this for the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1931, and we imagine the optimistic feeling about what can be accomplished was probably very welcome during the difficult economic times.
Description: The idea of a kingfisher as a professor-type, wearing a pince-nez, equipped with a fishing pole and bobber made us smile. We also like the friendly frog approaching in the lower right. This is another cheerful illustration from the wonderful German artist Elisabeth Schellbach's 1909 illustrations in "Komische Käuze" (Strange [Funny] Characters, plate 5).
Description: This painting makes us think of warm sunshine and fresh air. We love the oranges, greens, and blues and the interesting forms of the trees. Armand Guillaumin painted "La Baie D’agay Et Le Sémaphore" in 1922. Guillaumin was freinds with and painted alongside many of the better-known impressionists such as Cezanne and Pissarro.
Description: We enjoy the absurdity of these musical frogs in dapper dress carefully following their conductor. This is plate 13 of the 1909 book "Komische Käuze" (Strange [Funny] Characters), illustrated by German artist Elisabeth Schellbach. The complete book is available online through the German Digital Library. While we have been unsuccessful in attempts to translate the stories, the illustrations make us smile.
Description: Moriz Jung was part of the Vienna Workshop (Wiener Werkstatte), and he made some amazing postcards. This is his postcard of a poodle/pudel from 1912, numbered 676. He did a great job with the texture of the corded coat and capturing the happy expression of the dog. Tragically, Jung was killed in WW1 when he was only 29.
Description: The Columbia University Teacher's College produced a book of lino prints of the alphabet, "Letters Designed and Cut on Linoleum Blocks" in 1920. We love that the portion of the bird inside the R "loop" could stand on its own, and the rooster tail that curves around is fantastic. The cool design elements to the left of the R and around the border are a bonus.
Description: The Columbia University Teacher's College produced a book of lino prints of the alphabet, "Letters Designed and Cut on Linoleum Blocks" in 1920. We like the way the peacock works in terracotta vs. blue/green, the dots on the peacock's back, and the way the flowers tie it all together.
Description: The Columbia University Teacher's College produced a book of lino prints of the alphabet, "Letters Designed and Cut on Linoleum Blocks" in 1920. For the letter D, we like the deer's stylish antlers and its "don't mess with me" eyes. We also like the way the stripes carry through from tree to deer to tree.
