Robert A. Saurwein

Robert A. Saurwein (Innsbruck 1907-1942 Serbien), „Bauern, Tirol“, 1920ies, coloured woodcut, 12 x 10 cm.

Saurwein was an Austrian painter and graphic artist. He mainly created color woodcuts with mostly Tyrolean motifs. He attended the Bundeslehranstalt in Innsbruck and then studied at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart. He was briefly a member of the Innsbruck Secession and belonged to the group “Der Neue Bund”.

In the 1930ies Saurwein participated in several exhibitions:

1932: Landes-Kunstausstellung in Hall in Tirol
1933: Einzelausstellung in Innsbruck (Kunsthandlung Czichna)
1933: Künstlerhaus Salzburg
1932, 1933: IV.,VI./VII. Ausstellung der Secession Innsbruck
1934: Innsbruck (Taxishof)
1940: Zeitgeborene Kunst, Innsbruck (Taxishof)

Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_A._Saurwein

http://www.farbholzschnitt.at/05bb169d0103f0c01/0000009bce02fae12/index.html

Interesting here is, that the woodcut contains a pentimenti. A center figure was printed over with the last coloured layers. It still appears in raking light and on the back. With this, the print becomes a singular, unique work of the lost Austrian artist.

On the reverse, the center figure still is visible, hinting, it was a late compositional decision of the artist.

I believe, the work still has its original 1920ies frame in red an green.