Lot 92. Jan Lenica (1928-2001) – Polish graphic artist and postage stamp artist. ‘Die Maus und der Elefant’ [TR: Mouse and Elephant], original Illustration to a story of the same name by Matthias Hoppe.
On mat; total size: 53 x 42.5 cm Egg tempera and watercolour on paper. Poland, around 1990. Signed lower right ‘Lenica’. Paintings by Jan Lenica take up to 2000 € at international auction . Ships with book by Mattias Hoppe: ‘Die Maus und der Elefant’ [TR: Mouse and Elephant], illustrated by Jan Lenica, Zürich, bohem press, 1990. Very good condition. Estimate by Auctionata Expert: 600 EUR.

This work of egg tempera on collaged paper was made by the Polish graphic artist and postage stamp designer Jan Lenica (1928-2001). The sheet is entitled ‘Die Maus und der Elephant’ and it carries an illustration to accompany the book of the same name by Matthias Hoppe. It was published 1990 with illustrations by Jan Lenica; bohem press, Zürich. The simplified drawing shows an elephant with a mouse in his arms, surrounded by geometric forms on a dark background. There is a pink rectangle on the elephant’s body.

The piece is signed lower right ‘Lenica’. There are handwritten markings on verso: ‘Die Maus und der Elefant’, also ‘Copertina’ [Title page]. The sheet is mounted on card (mat) and held in a simple wood frame which measures 53 x 42.5 cm. The work measures 35 x 26.5 cm. The piece ships with the book by Matthias Hoppe. The painting and book are in very good condition with only minimal signs of wear.

Jan Lenica (1928-2001)
The Polish graphic artist and postage stamp designer enjoys international renown for his poster art. He has been publishing satirical and humorous works in Polish newspapers since 1945. He took part in the documenta III in Kassel in 1964.

Estimate 100-130 euro. Auctionata. 8/21/15