"Ironic self-caricature by Jansson in the style of Gobbi"

(1929 Hamburg – 1995 ibid.) "My first French poem". Original title: "To the artists he most admired and who always inspired Horst Janssen, belonged Jacques Callot (1592-1635), to whom in this 1988 sheet he pays homage with several grotesque figures in the style of his famous series 'Gobbi'. The largest figure on the right side of the image is most likely an ironic self-caricature of Janssen's actions, as his physiognomy is unrecognizable. Horst Janssen is considered one of the most outstanding and productive draftsmen and printmakers 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 white highlights) on Japanese paper; signed and dated '11 (.) 2 (.) 1986', also titled with the poem 'Voilà (/) very good: (/) hand (/) it is 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 served as the template for the color offset poster for Janssen's exhibition from November 6 to December 10, 1988, at Galerie Depelmann in Langenhagen. Mixed media (faded ink, watercolor, gouache, and white highlights) on Japanese paper. Signed, titled, and dated (19)86.