India Ink. Signed in the lower right. Predated “1904” and titled on the reverse. With the estate stamp of the Kunstmuseum Basel (Lugt 1570 b) and the handwritten registration number “F Dre/Be 1 on the reverse. On J. W. Zanders laid paper (with the watermark). 47.9 x 34.5 cm. , size of sheet.
This composition first appeared in a drawing in Kirchner’s sketchbook (Gerd Presler, Skb 15/58). Kirchner later adapted it into the lithograph “Hamburger Tänzerinnen” (see Gercken’s catalogue raisonné, vol. II, CR no. 470; one copy is in the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart). [CH].

• From the peak of the Dresden “Brücke” period (1905-1911).
• Inspired by the scenes in Dresden’s dance cafés, variety shows, and nightclubs, E. L. Kirchner developed a particular fascination with dance, which is reflected in his drawings, prints, and paintings.
• Spontaneously and immediately, the artist translates the dancers’ movements into an expressive drawing with just a few swift strokes.
• Part of a German private collection for 40 years.
• Kirchner translates this dynamic composition into the lithograph “Hamburg Dancers” (Staatsgalerie Stuttgart).
• Similiar motifs appear, for example, in the painting “Panama Dancers” (1910, North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh), created around the same time.
This work is documented in the Ernst Ludwig Kirchner Archive in Wichtrach/Bern.
LITERATURE: Eduard Trier, Zeichner des XX. Jahrhunderts, Berlin 1956 (illustrated). Kornfeld and Klipstein, Bern, 152nd Auction, Modern Art, June 13, 1974, cat. no. 434 (illustrated) Carus Gallery, New York (ed.), Catalogue 10: New Acquisitions and Selections from the Gallery Collection, New York 1977, cat. no. 30 (illustrated). Hauswedell & Nolte, Hamburg, 243rd Auction, Modern Art, June 11-12, 1982, lot 717 (illustrated). Galerie Utermann (ed.), E. L. Kirchner, Dortmund 1985, cat. no. 12 (illustrated). Werkfotografien: Negative aus dem Konvolut “Kirchner”, Berlinische Galerie, Estate of Ferdinand Möller, BG-KA-N/F.Möller-N0154 and BG-KA-N/F.Möller-N0155.

Der Tanz in der Kunst der letzten hundert Jahre. Gemälde, Pastelle, Aquarelle, Handzeichnungen, Graphik und Plastik, Galerie Pels-Leusden, Berlin, Nov. 3, 1975-Jan. 10, 1976, cat. no. 62 (illustrated). E. L. Kirchner. Zeichnungen und Druckgraphik 1905-1936, Kunstverein, Hamburg, March 18-April 30, 1978; Frankfurter Kunstverein, Frankfurt am Main, May 17-July 9, 1978, cat. no. 39 (illustrated). Europäische Meisterzeichnungen und Aquarelle, Galerie Pels-Leusden, Berlin, Oct. 16, 1978-Jan. 13, 1979, cat. no. 89 (illustrated)

From the artist’s estate (Davos 1938, Kunstmuseum Basel 1946, with the handwritten, numbered estate stamp on the reverse). Galerie Ferdinand Möller, Cologne (probably acquired from the above around 1954). Galerie Pels-Leusden, Berlin (1975-1976). Carus Gallery, New York (1977). Galerie Pels-Leusden, Berlin (1978). Galerie Utermann, Dortmund. Acquired by the current owner from the above in 1986

Expressive and spontaneous drawing, in good condition. Very few tiny brown spots, isolated studio-related marks or color residues, and a few faint signs of rubbing. The lower right corner of the sheet is slightly discolored. Small creases along the edges of the sheet, these are somewhat more pronounced in the upper right and along the lower left edge. The tip of the upper left corner has been repaired. At the lower edge of the image, to the right and left of the legs, there is a slight discoloration (rectangular area), presumably caused by previous framing. Due to the ink’s material properties, the image has lost none of its rich, deep black tones even after more than 110 years. The condition report was compiled in daylight to the best of our knowledge and belief.