NICHOLAS ANGELO
FINE ART

OTTO NUCKEL - (1888 - 1956 )

Otto Nückel (Cologne, 6 September 1888 – Cologne, 12 November 1955) was a German painter, graphic designer, illustrator and cartoonist. He best known as one the 20th century's pioneer wordless novelist, along with Frans Masereel and Lynd Ward. 

Nückel, who had exhibited skill as an artist in his childhood, dropped out of medical school in Freiburg im Breisqau and moved to Munich where he resided for the remainder of his life. There he developed his skill in drawing and painting, joining the artists' association, the Munich Sezession, and developing an interest inrelief printing.  Because of the scarcity of wood, Nückel made engravngs for relief prints on lead plates. A pioneer in lead engraving, Nückel developed an accomplished mastery of this medium, distinguished by ample use of the multiple-line tool. He illustrated works byThomas Mann, E. T. A. Hoffman and others before garnering considerable attention with his own publication Destiny: A story in pictures (Schicksal. Eine Geschicte in Bildern. Munich: Delphin Verlag, 1930). This wordless novel highlights the life and suffering of a female protagonist as a vehicle for a dark social critique. Much of Nückel's work favors dark comedy, profound irony and an often scathing sarcasm.

Nückel's series of "Studio Visits" (Atelierbesuche) to studios from Ensor to Bosch were famous. Nückel earned his living as an  illistrator and cartoonist. He was a contributor to the satirical magazines Simplicissimus and Simpl and to children's perioical Ping-Pong.

New editions of Destiny have been published in in France under the title 'Destin' in 2005 (Editions IMHO, Paris), and in the American collection, Graphic Witness (Buffalo, Firefly Books, 2007).

Wood Engraving - ca. 1922

Image Size: 7" X 9" - Pencil Signed on Tissue Paper

Titled: "THE GARDEN DOOR"

Slightly Damaged - Priced Accordingly!