Animaux Divers (original French title)
Engraving on Monval verdâtre paper.
Reference: Tonneau-Ryckelynck & Plumart 205.
Edition of 100. From the album Croquis d’Animaux.
Signed in pencil.
Plate size: 6 3/4 x 9 1/4 inches.
One could argue that Joseph Hecht (1891-1951) had a one-track mind, depicting only animals, and almost exclusively in burin (pure-line engraving) or drypoint. But what an eye and a talent he had in this particular specialty. Born in Poland, he arrived in Paris after World War I, by way of Norway. It seemed his sense of simplicity was honed there and Hecht is renowned today for his ability to pare down his subject to its essence. It seems Hecht never traveled much and drew most of his animals in captivity; in particular at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. He left behind over 400 prints, elegant depictions of the beautiful felines, birds, and assorted deer or goats, in simple black line on beautiful sheets of handmade paper.
