Ernst Würtenberger (1868 Steißlingen–1934 Karlsruhe), spent his most important creative years in Zurich. Here he made a career as a portraitist and teacher of figurative drawing at the School of Applied Arts between 1902 and 1921; At the same time, he played an important role in the German-speaking Swiss art scene as a consultant, organizer and official. In 1921, Würtenberger was appointed professor of woodcuts, illustration and composition at the Baden State Art School in Karlsruhe.
Ernst Würtenberger discovered woodcuts in 1905; In a short time he achieved mastery in this field. Over 200 prints, including numerous portfolios and illustrated books, demonstrate his intensive engagement with this medium.
This publication examines Ernst Würtenberger's graphic work in all its facets for the first time. The richly illustrated catalog raisonné not only bears witness to the importance that Würtenberger played in renewing the woodcut technique, but also surprises with the astonishing variety of expression that he was able to elicit time and again from black and white.
