Ruhe (Repose) from Ein Handschuh (A Glove). Cyclus von zehn Compositionen radirt. Rad. Opus VI, Plate VIII. First edition

Art Historical Context

**Ruhe (Repose) from *Ein Handschuh (A Glove)*, 1881** Max Klinger, a pioneering German Symbolist artist, this etching as Plate VIII in his renowned cycle *Ein Handschuh*, or *A Glove*, Opus—a series of ten intricate compositions etched between 1881 and 1892. The work centers on the enigmatic motif of a discarded glove, weaving a fantastical narrative of desire, loss, and psychological depth. Printed by F. Felsing, this first-edition impression captures Klinger's obsession with everyday objects as symbols of deeper human emotions, bridging Realism and the emerging Symbolist movement in late 19th-century Europe. Klinger masterfully combined etching, drypoint, and aquatint on chine collé—a delicate technique gluing thin China paper to a sturdy support for finer detail and subtle tonal gradations. These methods allowed rich textures and atmospheric effects, evoking dreamlike repose in *Ruhe*, where the glove rests amid ethereal forms. Measuring 18 5/16 x 26 inches, the large plate amplifies its immersive quality, showcasing printmaking's potential as a narrative medium rivaling painting. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2009 through the Isaacson-Draper Foundation, this print exemplifies Klinger's influence on modern artists like Edvard Munch and his role in elevating graphic arts. Visitors are drawn to its haunting glove tag, inviting reflection on hidden passions in Victorian-era sensibilities.

About the Artist

F. Felsing|Max Klinger (German|German) · |1857 – |1920

|German, Leipzig 1857–1920 Großjena