14 Watercolor s, each originally laminated on firm cardboard in half cloth binding. Each signed. First watercolor titled in the image. On Schöllershammer watercolor paper (some with the blindstamp). Sheet: each ca. 50.7 x 35.7 cm. Cardboard backing: 51,5 x 36,5 cm.
"Bilderbuch für Hana" is the second children's book with watercolors by Otto Dix and one of a total of 6 works that Dix made for the two children his wife Martha had brought into their marriage, their own three children Nelly, Ursus and Jan, as well as his granddaughter Bettina: "Bilderbuch für Muggeli [= Martin]" (1922), "Bilderbuch für Hana" (um 1925), "Bilderbuch für Nelly" (1927), "Bilderbuch für Ursus" (1930), "Bilderbuch für Jan" (1931) und "Bilderbuch für Bettina" (1955). Sequence of the watercolors: 1. Ein Füllhorn für Hana, 2. Ritter Hans an Hohen Randen und seine Familie hoch zu Roß, 3. Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten, 4. Jonas und der Wal, 5. Daniel in der Löwengrube, 6. Christophorus, 7. David und Goliath, 8. Die sieben Todsünden, 9. Die Arche Noah, 10. Samson und der Löwe, 11. Die Versuchung des heiligen Antonius, 12. Der heilige Georg mit dem Drachen, 13. Der heilige Antonius predigt den Fischen, 14. Maria mit dem Kind im Stall. [JS].
- Spectacular rediscovery: Dix's "Bilderbuch für Hana" was part of the collection of Hana Koch, Martha Dix's daughter from her first marriage, for her entire life and was only rediscovered in 2016. - A fantastic compendium of history, fairy tales, and biblical themes in 14 high-quality, large-format watercolors. - In the mid-1920s, Dix worked on his extensive graphic masterpiece "Der Krieg" (The War) and this "Bilderbuch für Hana" (Picture Book for Hana). - Both works show us how the artist processed the horrors of war and primal themes of humanity. - Of museum quality: A complete album from his best creative period is a true rarity on the international auction market. - In terms of composition and content, "Bilderbuch für Hana" is one of the artist's two first and most complex watercolor picture books. - Most recently exhibited in the major solo show "Otto Dix - Der böse Blick" (2017) at the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf, and at Tate Liverpool.
All watercolors are documented in the digital Otto Dix catalogue raisonné under the numbers A 1925/41 to A 1925/54. We are grateful to Ms. Doris Kachel, Akademie der Künste, Berlin, for her kind support in cataloging this lot.