Description
Luigi Kasimir (1881-1962) was born in present-day Solvenia when it was still part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He studied at the Vienna Academy of Art where he learned the fine art of color-printed etching. He is well known for a series of American and European urban landscape city views, often with a focus on architecture. Those of American subjects include prints of the New York Stock Exchange; the Brooklyn Bridge; Columbia University; Park Avenue; the Queensborough Bridge; the Massachusetts State House; and Michigan Boulevard. His wife, Tanna Kasimir-Hoernes (1887-1972) also produced similar prints including New York Trinity Church; the Sub-Treasury (Federal Building); and the Savoy and Sherry Netherland from Central Park. Their son Robert Kasimir (1914-2002) was also an accomplished printmaker in a similar style. The prints of the Kasimir family exemplify Luigi’s pioneering efforts in color printmaking. Unlike the common practice of hand-coloring black-and-white prints, Kasimir used an innovative etching technique in which he etched separate plates for each color and printed them in precise alignment to achieve a vibrant, painterly effect. The Kasimir family’s etchings can be found in numerous major museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and in numerous fine print collections worldwide.
Condition: Generally very good, recently professionally cleaned and restored with light remaining overall toning, wear, handling. Some minor glue residue, abrasions, and toning in blank margins where formerly matted, can be rematted out. Luigi Kasimir signature watermark lower right margin.
References:
“Luigi Kasimir.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luigi_Kasimir (13 May 2025).
