Scarce ERNST JOSEPHSON / PAULSSON. Ernst Josephson's Portfolio 1918

This book, titled Ernst Josephsons Teckningar ("Ernst Josephson's Drawings"), is a portfolio of works by the Swedish painter and poet Ernst Josephson.

With an introduction by Gregor Paulsson. PA Norstedt & Söners Publishing House, Stockholm 1918. 

40 drawings in mount. The publisher's decorated cloth spine folder. The selection of these drawings has been made by Gregor Paulsson and Ragnar Hoppe. Cover and initial signed by Akke Kumlien. The light prints are made by Justus Cederquists Grafiska Aktiebolag and printed on purpose-made linen rag paper from Lessebo. The work is published in an edition of 225 numbered copies of which this is No. 200. Signed in plate.

Ernst Josephson's drawings and paintings were exhibited in the University Gallery in 1965. The poster features a stylized image of Josephson himself. He was born in 1851 in Sweden, and in 1887 was diagnosed with schizophrenia—the poster design above seems to hint at his state of mind. During this time his style altered, becoming more abstract (his work was later seen as a pre-cursor to the styles of Matisse and Picasso). One reviewer of the U Gallery show in the Minneapolis Tribune says:

Josephson's art is full of idiosyncrasy, of drawing things the "wrong" way that turn out to be right.... The drawings are a strange world in themselves. Josephson's line is quixotic, kinetic, yet sustains an airy delicacy and a fine judgment in filling the rectangle with wiry strength.

Dimensions: 20x13 inches.

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