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Kölner Messe - cm. 8 x 7 (Cologne
Trade Fair) |
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Suedsee -
South Seas with Junks (1921)
9.8 x 13 cm |
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African
women with pitchers 11.5 x 14.5 |
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Bedouins 12 x 15.5 |
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Tiroler
Passion Spiele Erl 1522-1922
(400th anniversary of the Tyrol
Passion Play at Erl)
17 x 14.5 cm |
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Study of a poster for Schwabinger Bayern
Kirta D.V.D.K.ST.M.
31 x 23 cm |
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Tabacco Brasil (cigar box)
17.5 x 15.5 cm |
As early as the
opening years of the 1920’s, at the same time as the
opening up of the consumer society in Europe and the
United States, Christian Hess began experimenting with
the possibilities for artistic expression in
advertising, convinced from the outset that commercial
publicity would develop into a major form of mass
communication.
Hess’ sketches for advertising posters began in 1920,
when he was a student at the Munich Academy of Fine
Arts, and continued well into the 1930’s.
Judging from the studies and sketches to have survived,
Hess’ output must have been prolific. Although there is
little documentary evidence of finished works, there is
more than enough to testify to his inspired creativity.
Of Hess’ intensely productive experiments from those
early years there are sketches and studies of designs to
advertise businesses, trade fairs, tourism, cultural
happenings and traditional events such as the Tyrol
Passion Play at Erl or the Bavarian Carnival. As early
as the 1920’s Hess’ iconography reflected the signs of
nascent globalisation that was beginning its spread from
Northern Europe to Africa to Latin America and to the
South Seas.
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Tabacco Brasil - Advertising sketch
Water-colour 20 x 26 cm |
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