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 engrav- ings 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 intern- ment 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’.