Bresslern-Roth, Norbertine. – Kampf. (Fight)

Original Linocut by Norbertine Bresslern-Roth, signed in pencil. Norbertine Bresslern-Roth (Graz 1891-1978). She was one of the pre-eminent linocut artists of the twentieth century. The linocat shows the fight between an octopus and a lobster. Norbertine’s artistic talent was already recognized in elementary school by her teacher, who made sure that from 1907 onwards she was allowed to take part in drawing and painting classes at the Styrian State Art School under the direction of Alfred Schrötter free of charge. During the summer months of 1909 and 1910 she attended the animal painting school in Dachau near Munich under Hans von Hayek. In 1911, Norbertine Roth left Graz to study with Professor Ferdinand Dirt at the Vienna Art Academy. Dünger was also so impressed by the young artist’s talent that he accepted her into his studio at the academy after just one year, even though women were officially allowed to study at the Vienna Art Academy for the first time in 1921. As early as 1912, she received the silver medal from the city of Graz as the first honor from her hometown. After a successful exhibition at the Vienna Secession in 1916, she returned to Graz to establish herself as a freelance artist. With the first “Norbertine Roth special exhibition” (1918), coinciding with the end of the First World War, she enjoyed great success in Graz, her hometown. In 1918 she married Georg Ritter von Bresslern († 1952). In the 1920s she was one of the first women to work intensively with the innovative printing process of linocut. From 1921 to 1952 she created numerous animal depictions using this technique. She had her studio at Langegasse 26 in Graz, where you can now see a memorial plaque on the front of the house. In 1928, Bresslern-Roth undertook a trip to North Africa, which led her to create numerous animal depictions, some of which have the character of studies. She later got further inspiration from European zoos. She also illustrated children’s books and created tapestries and ivory miniatures. In 1932, Norbertine von Bresslern-Roth was awarded the “title of professor”. Norbertine von Bresslern-Roth is regarded worldwide as an important animal painter, especially because of her later works, which are less of a study and more of an artistic character. With her linocuts she positioned herself in the international art scene. She also achieved a great broad impact with her representations. In 1952 an exhibition of her works in Graz was visited by 10,000 people.