Am Anfang/Genesis

Jena: Eugen Diderichs, 1922. Wolf, Gustav. Folio. (15)ff., loose, as issued. From an edition of 250 copies, fifty were hand-colored; this appears to be a regular edition copy (number 111 and with the regular edition's black-printed portfolio) that has been hand-colored out of series. Each of the seven lithographs is signed in pencil by Wolf. Bibliographic records of the entire edition seem to indicate that there are two issues of the lithographs: one with "WOLF" and "Am Ersten Tag," etc., carved as part of the lithograph, and one with no lettering, but with typographic additions of "Bl. 1" and "Der erste Tag," etc., and Wolf's autograph added. This copy is of the latter issuance. The complexity of the edition is likely due, at least in part, to the intervening years between the portfolio's completion and publication, confused as they were by the First World War.

Wolf's seven lithographs chart the seven days of creation, and his use of the lithographic medium lends his images remarkable contrast between dark and light. The chaos of each scene is balanced by the orderliness of the added watercolor and the necessary boundaries of the plate. Wolf has included alongside the images the text of the Book of Genesis, in both German and Latin. The resulting portfolio breathes with artistic and spiritual awe.

Sheets held in portfolio covered with green paper and backed in cloth. Black-printed lithograph to upper cover shows water, mountains, and sky. Portfolio toned and with general rubbing. Sheets quite bright and clean, save the sheet for the seventh day, which shows minimal foxing. Near fine. (von Borries L2-8).