Provenance

Martin Aufhäuser

German, 1875 - 1944

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The image shows two archers with bows and an individual tied to a tree. The first archer, on the left, wears a red jacket and a hat while aiming the bow. The second archer below wears red pants and a tunic with stripes. The person tied to the tree stands with a serene expression, a halo around their head, and shoulder-length wavy hair, partially clothed in a loincloth. They are shown standing next to a tree with large green leaves in a stylized greenery background.
German 15th Century, Saint Sebastian, c. 1490, woodcut, hand-colored in green, red lake, olive, and yellow, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.627

Saint Sebastian

German 15th Century · c. 1490 · woodcut, hand-colored in green, red lake, olive, and yellow ·  Accession ID  1943.3.627

The image shows three figures against a detailed backdrop. The central figure is positioned slightly turned to the left with long, flowing golden hair and a prominent halo. They wear a brown robe with red undertones. Behind them is a person with a beard and a sea-green hat. A small figure resembling a cherubic infant lies surrounded by golden rays. In the stable setting, two animals, likely a donkey and an ox, are depicted. The background shows a rustic stable with geometric designs. Above, an angelic figure with a halo and wings hovers. The image is bordered by an intricate frame with stars and circular symbols.
German 15th Century, The Nativity, c. 1470/1480, metalcut, hand-colored in yellow, red-brown lake, and green, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.662

The Nativity

German 15th Century · c. 1470/1480 · metalcut, hand-colored in yellow, red-brown lake, and green ·  Accession ID  1943.3.662

This is a painting of abstracted figures in a scene under a tree. It is rendered in a stylized manner reminiscent of medieval woodcut techniques, with bold outlines, limited color palette, and an intricate pattern. The central figure wears a robe and wields a sword. To the right, a pair of figures is positioned closely together, one holding foliage. The background includes a tree and a detailed structure. The border is detailed with leaves and floral motifs. The faces and actions suggest a narrative unfolding within a mystical or allegorical realm.
German 15th Century, The Expulsion from the Garden of Eden, 1460/1480, metalcut, hand-colored in yellow, red-brown lake, and green, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.681

The Expulsion from the Garden of Eden

German 15th Century · 1460/1480 · metalcut, hand-colored in yellow, red-brown lake, and green ·  Accession ID  1943.3.681

This print depicts a woman holding a child. The woman has simple facial features, pale skin, and long, wavy, yellow hair. She is dressed in a red robe over a gray garment, and there is a yellow crown on her head surrounded by a yellow halo. The child in her arms also has pale skin and short curly hair surrounded by a yellow halo, and they are unclothed. The woman is surrounded by rays of yellow light that emanate from her against a black background. Below the bottom of her dress, there seems to be a human face with pale skin that points downward, a frown on its face. Surrounding the woman is a circular border of flowers in white, red, and yellow, with green leaves between them. In the four corners of the print are different creatures holding scrolls, including an angel in the top left, a bird in the top right, a bull in the bottom right, and a lion in the bottom left. The bottom two animals have red wings, and all three have yellow halos. The angel has green wings.
German 15th Century, Madonna and Child in a Rosary, c. 1480, woodcut, hand-colored in red lake, yelllow, black,green, brown, and rose on laid paper, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.567

Madonna and Child in a Rosary

German 15th Century · c. 1480 · woodcut, hand-colored in red lake, yelllow, black,green, brown, and rose on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1943.3.567

The image shows a group of people sitting closely in a circular arrangement with one central figure in the forefront. The individuals have halos around their heads and stylized facial features. The central figure wears prominently draped garments, and the surrounding figures wear similar garments in varying colors. The figures have wavy hair mostly covered by the halos. A dove descends from a cloud above them. The background features a geometric pattern on the floor and the scene is framed with decorative borders of flowers and zigzag patterns.
German 15th Century, The Descent of the Holy Ghost, c. 1450, woodcut with hand coloring in tan, brown, orange-red, green, rose, red lake, blue, and gold on laid paper, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.513

The Descent of the Holy Ghost

German 15th Century · c. 1450 · woodcut with hand coloring in tan, brown, orange-red, green, rose, red lake, blue, and gold on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1943.3.513

The image shows a figure standing upright. The person is positioned facing forward, with one hand raised in a gesture and the other hand holding a long golden staff with an ornate top. The figure has prominent facial features, depicted with linear details, and the person's hair is not visible as they are wearing a tall red and white mitre adorned with blue and green gems. Their clothing is a rich brown robe draped over a blue garment with white sleeves visible, featuring jewel-like red accents on the cuffs. The figure is surrounded by a decorative frame with floral motifs at the top. At the bottom, there are two heraldic shields, one red and white and the other black and white, resting on a green background. There is no visible background behind the figure, as it is set against a cream-colored backdrop.
German 15th Century, Bishop of Augsburg with Three Coats of Arms, c. 1485, hand-colored woodcut on vellum, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.659

Bishop of Augsburg with Three Coats of Arms

German 15th Century · c. 1485 · hand-colored woodcut on vellum ·  Accession ID  1943.3.659

The image depicts multiple people with medieval or religious themes. One person is seated on a throne wearing a crown and a long robe. Another person is standing holding a spear with a smaller figure on top. A woman is seated on a donkey holding a child, both with halos. Another figure stands next to the woman holding the donkey's reins, and there are additional small figures in the scene. The setting appears to be outdoors with dense foliage, and the border features geometric patterns.
German 15th Century, The Massacre of the Innocents, c. 1470/1480, metalcut, hand-colored in yellow, red-brown lake, and green, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.663

The Massacre of the Innocents

German 15th Century · c. 1470/1480 · metalcut, hand-colored in yellow, red-brown lake, and green ·  Accession ID  1943.3.663

The image shows an illustration of a person sitting upright in a stone structure. The person has a thin face, gentle eyes, and long dark hair. They are wearing a yellow cloth around the lower body, with their chest exposed showing stigmata. A halo is around their head. In the background are various items including a yellow cross, ropes, tools, a rooster, a sword, an axe, and a leafy branch. An inset image of two figures is on the left, with a bucket hanging from the wall. The illustration uses earthy colors against a plain background.
German 15th Century, Christ as the Man of Sorrows, 1430/1440, woodcut, hand-colored in red lake, yellow ochre, tan, and green, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.729

Christ as the Man of Sorrows

German 15th Century · 1430/1440 · woodcut, hand-colored in red lake, yellow ochre, tan, and green ·  Accession ID  1943.3.729

This is a drawing of a figure carrying another figure on its back while wading through water. The drawing has a strong use of lines and bold outlines, giving it a woodcut print appearance. The central figure appears robust, holding a long staff for support as it steps through stylized flowing water, which is depicted using curved lines. The figure on its back is smaller and seated. Surrounding this scene are several trees with large leaves and intricate linework. The background appears dotted, providing texture, and the overall palette includes muted greens and browns.
German 15th Century, Saint Christopher, 1470/1480, metalcut, hand-colored, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.769

Saint Christopher

German 15th Century · 1470/1480 · metalcut, hand-colored ·  Accession ID  1943.3.769

This is a painting of an illuminated manuscript page. The centerpiece is a circular miniature depicting an architectural setting, possibly an interior. Within this setting are various objects and text, a ladder, and faces looking inward. The manuscript page features calligraphic text in black ink with highlighted sections in red and blue, and initial capital letters enlarged and colored. The border includes intricate designs with green leaf-like ornamentation and red and blue fleur-de-lis elements. The artistry of the drawing reflects medieval illumination styles. This is in the style of a medieval manuscript illuminator.
Netherlandish 15th Century, Christ as the Man of Sorrows, c. 1500, engraving, hand-colored in red, tan, violet, green and flesh; pasted into an initial "O" on an illuminated vellum sheet, torn from a book, Rosenwald Collection, 1943.3.752

Christ as the Man of Sorrows

Netherlandish 15th Century · c. 1500 · engraving, hand-colored in red, tan, violet, green and flesh; pasted into an initial "O" on an illuminated vellum sheet, torn from a book ·  Accession ID  1943.3.752

Bibliography

1965

  • Field, Richard S. Fifteenth Century Woodcuts and Metalcuts. Washington, 1965: preface

1976

  • Rosenwald, Lessing J. Recollections of a Collector, Jenkintown, Pa, 1976: 14-18.

1999

  • Boyes, Roger. "Family's Nazi past thwarts art claim." London Times: 2 February 1999:11