HERMANN FECHENBACH
Hermann Fechenbach (b. 1897 Württemberg, Germany – immigrated to Great Britain 1939 – d. 1986 Denham, England)
Lenin, 1943
Woodcut on paper 21.6 x 16 cm Signed and dated (lower right) ‘Hermann Fechenbach 1943’ Ben Uri Collection Presented by Alfred Wolmark 1948
Fechenbach specialised in wood engravings and was influenced by Die Neue Sachlichkeit (new objectivity). This woodcut was made in England after his release from internment. Born into a German-Jewish family, Fechenbach fought and was severely wounded in the First World War (losing a leg). Afterwards he studied in Stuttgart, Munich and Florence, then travelled widely before settling in Stuttgart, but was later forced to flee to England via Palestine. In 1940, following internment in Warth Mill, Bury, he went on hunger strike in protest; subsequently in Hutchinson Camp on the Isle of Man, he produced a series of linocuts entitled ‘My Impressions as Refugee’.
20 Finchleystraße
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