The Online Hermann-Paul Project

Description: Woodcut printed in black on wove paper. Here the Spanish matador is poised to strike with a sword. In the Camargue, bulls were never killed for sport. Instead, runners attempted to remove ribbons from their horns.

Description: Woodcut printed in black on wove paper. Here a lone Gardian drives Camargue bulls.

Description: In 1921, Hermann-Paul produced a limited edition of the first book of the Hebrew Bible. It was richly illustrated with numerous wood engravings like the one seen here. Its multi-colored text was printed red for Latin and black for French. Very good copies of this book have been valued at around $1000.00.

Description: The first from a series of four wood cuts commissioned by Gaston-Louis Vuitton, the third from his house to lead the famous line. Limited to an edition of 99 and printed on fine wove paper.

With this series, Hermann-Paul demonstrates his versatility. Deco is not an aesthetic which generally defines his work. His cuts from this period were often textured by rough gouge marks. Here the lines are thin and smooth. The ladies are smart and elegant. Hermann-Paul was a middle aged man when the Jazz Age hit Paris but it must have been impossible to escape its allure.

Description: The second from a series of four wood cuts commissioned by Gaston-Louis Vuitton, the third from his house to lead the famous line. Limited to an edition of 99 and printed on fine wove paper.

I have not had a chance to examine this series first hand. The auction house described them as wood cuts and for they purpose of this catelog they are listed as such. But the varied textures we see in the background hint at something more than wood.

Description: The third from a series of four wood cuts commissioned by Gaston-Louis Vuitton, the third from his house to lead the famous line. Limited to an edition of 99 and printed on fine wove paper.

From the first to the third print, H-P's red becomes more pronounced and his colors become bolder. The series runs from whimsical to angry.

Description: The fourth from a series of four wood cuts commissioned by Gaston-Louis Vuitton, the third from his house to lead the famous line. Limited to an edition of 99 and printed on fine wove paper.

This final print is very delicate. It combines styles, colors and textures from the first three prints to provide a satisfying closure to the series.

Description: In 1926, Hermann-Paul visited Spain to research several projects. He returned to Paris with a sketchbook filled with ideas. From a 1926 interview with Enrique Estévez-Ortega, we know this piece was based on that research. Carmen was a beautiful gypsy with a fiery temper. She was brought to life by Georges Bizet in one of his fine operas.

Description: The first of five print illustrations for the French edition of Augusto D'Halmar's Cuatro evangélicos en uno

Description: The second of five print illustrations for the French edition of Augusto D'Halmar's Cuatro evangélicos en uno