Ludwig Hohlwein: and Norman Rockwell as model?

Poster for Springtime in Wiesbaden circa 1920-1926. (Click on image to enlarge.) Hohlwein was born there, in the Rhine-Main region of Germany, though he and his work are associated with Munich and Bavaria in southern Germany. There were two schools of Gebrauchsgrafik in Germany at the time, North and South. In the north, the great designer and illustrator was Lucian Bernhard, whose poster for a 1931 auto show appears below.

Bernhard's style is totally different.

Click on this Mercedes poster of the period (1920-1926) to enlarge it. In this, and prior examples, Hohlwein's work seems to be dependent more and more on photographic images. However, he takes his adaptations to another level seeming to know when to let go of any hold the photo may have of him. His leaving images to the imagination of the viewer and creative use of color dispels any suggestion that he might be just another illustrator who uses photos as a crutch. (That's a term we used to hear a lot of fifty years ago until photographic realism just about destroyed tasteful illustration -- and much of gallery painting as well.)

A lavender bus? I can't believe the colors he used here. The background is very similar to a technique art directors used for sketches to show clients for approvals. Hohlwein has rendered the Mercedes and the bus in a sketchy technique rarely seen in the U.S.A. to sell automotive products. This is from the period between wars, 1920-1926, when Hohlwein was enjoying great popularity. The style also indicates a simple, quick solution to honor as many commitments as possible.

In this poster the technique is much more deliberate but it still achieved with a great deal of restraint. I l have always had the feeling that Hohlwein used a photo of Norman Rockwell for the subject. Circa 1925.

This photographic profile of Norman Rockwell, albeit taken late in his life, bears an uncanny resemblance to the profile in Hohlwein's illustration.

Were these two great icons of illustration aware of each other? Most certainly. Hohlwein had an exhibition in New York in 1923. Perhaps they visited and corresponded with each other. At the very least, I would like to think that Hohlwein was paying homage to his American colleague with the very famous profile.

Comments

[Kagan McLeod]

Wow! I've only got one clipping of his, an amazing drawing of a priest or monk-type character. Think it's time to search for some more! Inspiring!

[giam]

Mike, I can point you to your favorite search engines and your public library for the most cost-effective way to gather information. There should be a lot about Hohlwein pubished in German, so some knowledge of that language would help. Even better if you know someone in Germany, Austria or Switzerland who could help you. He's several generations back in time so you might search lists of booksellers who deal in old and used books. Good luck!

[Michael Fischer]

hi there,
this article is very fascinating. i was wondering if you could point me in the direction of some other good hohlwein resources. online or otherwise.

thanks!

mike

[giam]

I'm sorry, Heather, this is speculation on my part. I don't recall seeing anything about this anywhere.

[Heather Huninghake]

I would love to read about more indepth information on this subject. Where can I find it?