"Ironic self-caricature of Janssen in the style of Gobbi"

(1929 Hamburg – 1995 same place) "My First French Poem." Original title: "Among the artists whom Horst Janssen admired most and who always inspired him was Jacques Callot (1592–1635), to whom he pays tribute in this 1988 sheet with several grotesque figures in the style of Callot’s famous ‘Gobbi’ series. The largest figure on the right in the image is most likely an ironic self-caricature of Janssen’s actions, as his face is unrecognizable. Horst Janssen is considered one of the most outstanding and prolific draftsmen and graphic artists of the 20th century; in 1968, he was awarded the Graphic Prize at the Venice Biennale. In 2000, the ‘Horst Janssen Museum’ was opened in Oldenburg, dedicated to him and his work. Mixed media (pen, watercolor, gouache, and bleaching) / Japanese p. and signature; dated ‘11 (.) 2 (.) 1986’, also titled the poem ‘Voila (/) very good: (/) hand (/) it’s me’; below, an additional inscription ‘to 3 things I envy (/) belongs unconditional tangible beauty’. Sheet 44.5 cm x 32.2 cm. Framed. This original became the template for a color offset poster for Janssen’s exhibition from November 6 to December 10, 1988, at the Depelmann Gallery in Langenhagen. Mixed media (dull ink, watercolor, gouache, and bleaching) on Japanese paper. Signed, titled, and dated (19)86.