#32 • Limited Edition 222/300 G. H. Rothe: "Alvin With The Dutch" Signed Mezzotint

Part of Treasures of the Past: Exquisite Jewelry and Fine Art Online Auction (timed auction by Lux Auctions)

High bid $71.00

Status: Sold

Category: Art

In this large mezzotint by German-American artist Gatja Helgert Rothe (1953-2007) a central dancer in an orange leotard points her toe, linking arms with a male colleague as others dance in the background, all portrayed in blue hues. The artist plays with layering and transparency within the image. Titled "Alvin with the Dutch", it likely portrays famous dancer Alvin Ailey working with a group of Dutch dancers. It was created in 1980 in a limited edition - this is 222/300. Signed, titled and numbered in pencil by the artist. The piece is triple matted in a deeper gold metallic frame, and has a wire to hang by in the back. Condition: Very good condition - The art is clean and lies flat within the mat. The frame is in very good and shiny condition. Please see our photos for additional details in appearance and condition. Frame size: 39.5" x 52.5", Art Opening: 31.75" x 44-5/8" Mezzotint Technique: Ms. Rothe was known as a master of mezzotint printing, and her highly detailed mezzotints focused on surreal landscapes, intricately rendered horses, and graceful dancers. Rothe started all her prints by sketching a simple drawing directly onto the plate with a drypoint tool. She then used a rocker to develop the background, rolling and rocking it side to side and piercing the plate with tiny holes for the ink. Using a drypoint tool she further developed the fine details and figures of the drawing. Rothe spent approximately 500 hours working on each plate. Rothe expanded the technique's possibilities to achieve transparencies and an extensive variety of tonalities. By discovering a way to mix all colors in the same plate, from the darkest to the lightest, and hand-wiping them into one another, she was able to create highlights, hues, and tones impossible to get when inking each color separately. An earlier monochrome silkscreen image (1974) from this plate appears on page 52 of the book "G.H. Rothe Master of Mezzotint, Catalog Raisonné" by Pierre Restany (1983), which is offered in this auction in lot 28.  Other original works by G.H. Rothe appear in this auction in lots 29, 30 and 44.