LUIGI KASIMIR (1881-1962). View of [New York from] Governor’s Island. 1927

LUIGI KASIMIR (1881-1962)
View of [New York from] Governor’s Island
Pastel and graphite on paper
1927
17 3/4” x 12” sheet, 31 1/4” x 24 1/4” framed

In Pettau in 1881, Luigi Kasimir was born as part of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Later in his life, he studied at the Vienna Academy of Art, and it was here that the artist was introduced to colored etching from his teacher William Unger. As one of the first to really develop this technique, Kasimir lead the way to create etchings that were no longer colored in a casual manner. His process typically began with a sketch in pastel. He then would transfer the image to multiple plates, the number of plates depending on the number of colors used in the printed image. The artist would then apply the color to each plate by hand and print in succession. Kasimir’s subject matter centered on European and American urban landscapes and architecture. The watercolor represents the first step in Kasimir’s process: it is a study for the final, colored etching. Impressively, this study proves to be a frame-worthy work of its own. The scene becomes alive with every variation of line and change in tone. The trees on the left appear to come off the page, whereas the trees to the right fade off in a subtle yet noteworthy play on perspective.