Frank Weitzel

Vase of Flowers
linocut
signed centre below image
23.3 x 16.6 cm

SOLD

Literature:

A copy is illustrated on the cover of A Survey of Australian Relief Prints - 1900-1950, Deutsher Galleries, 1978. An article on Weitzel is published in Art New Zealand, number 134, winter 2010: ‘A Sullen Silence - Frank Weitzel, Modernist (1905-1932)’ by Gail Ross.

Frank Weitzel was born in New Zealand. He studied in Germany and America before working in Sydney in the late 1920s. In his studio over Grubb's butcher shop at Circular Quay he worked in the tradition of the artist-craftsman, producing lino-cuts, batik shawls and wall-hangings, lamp shades, book-ends, as well as sculpture. He also played violin in the Conservatorium Orchestra and designed a modern room (with Henry Pynor) at the Burdekin House Exhibition in 1929. Looking for work in London in 1931 Weitzel sought out David Garnett, the publisher and member of the Bloomsbury Group of artists-craftsmen. While Garnett was not interested in Weitzel's drawings for publication he became an admirer of his sculpture and invited Weitzel to care-take his property 'Hilton Hall' and commissioned him to do heads of his children. Weitzel came to be praised also by Jacob Epstein, Roger Fry, Paul Nash and Duncan Grant. Weitzel also exhibited with the Grosvenor School led by Claude Flight. A posthumous exhibition was organised by Dorrit Black at the Modern Art Centre, 56 Margaret St, Sydney on 7th June, 1933. This show  included illustrations to a poem by Weitzel, poster designs for the Empire Marketing Board, Underground Railways,Shell Motor Spirit, Barclay's Lager and The Prudential Insurance Co. as well as lino cuts, sculpture and drawings. Copies of Weitzel’s lino cuts are rare – the edition numbers are always low.