Design for the cover of the 25th anniversary publication of the Viennese Graphic Design School (1888-1913)

Erwin Puchinger

1913 · Black and white gouache with gold paint over graphite underdrawing, on blue paper · Drawings and Prints

Puchinger attended the Viennese Graphic Design School in the early 1890s, and remained affiliated with the institution during his professional career. He taught drawing classes there, and eventually became chair of the manual graphics design department. It is with good reason, therefore, that Puchinger proudly signed his designs for the cover of the portfolio that was published in honor of the school’s 25th anniversary in 1913. Two versions of his design are in the Met's collection. While they are almost identical in composition, they represent different stages in his working process. This version on blue paper is an exact representation of the final design, which was printed in three colors (black, white and gold) on a blue cloth cover.

Artist

Erwin Puchinger

Date

1913

Medium

Black and white gouache with gold paint over graphite underdrawing, on blue paper

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Harry G. Sperling Fund, 2016