Maximilien Kurzweil (Austria) 1867-1916
Der Polster (The Cushion). Woodcut, 1903. Ref: Rifkind/DDavis, vol. II, no. 1692 with illust; Novotny & Adolph 428b; Mandach 82.288.194; Symbolism, Synthesis and Fin-de-Siècle. MOMA, exh. cat, March 3-May 15, 1983, no. 40. Ed: 200 or fewer. Portfolio: Jahresmappe der Gesellschaft fur Vervielfaltigende Kunst (Publisher) Vienna. Printed in colors (probably by the artist) on thin Oriental paper (red, yellow, green, light and dark blue inks). With complete margins. 285 x 259 mm. (11 1/4 x 10 3/16 in.)
The woman depicted is Martha Kurzweil, the artist's wife. Her head is sunk into a sofa cushion with her hand held in a tense, gripping gesture. Her face is hidden from view which begs the viewer to complete the story - which is no doubt one of despair, sadness and angst.
