Ernst Henseler (1852-1940) - Portrait

Ernst Henseler (1852-1940), without title (Portrait of a Gentleman), 1909.

Pastel, watercolour, and pencil drawing on thin paper. 44 x 28.6 cm, signed and dated.

Provenance: Private collection, Berlin.

Condition: Age-appropriate condition, minimal cracks at the edges of the sheets. Photos are part of the condition description.

Biography
Ernst Henseler (1852–1940) was a German artist and graphic artist best known for his work in painting, drawing, printmaking, and applied graphics. He was active in the transitional period from the 19th to the 20th century and stylistically sits between late Historicism, Art Nouveau (Jugendstil), and early Modernism.
Henseler's work is characterized by high craftsmanship, clear compositions, and a pronounced interest in typography, ornament, and image structure. In addition to free art, he created illustrations, book and commercial graphics, contributing significantly to the development of German graphic design and visual culture of his time.
As an artist of the Wilhelmine era and early Modernism, Ernst Henseler is today mainly of art-historical relevance. His works are found in archives, public collections, and estates and document the shift from traditional concepts of art to modern visual Gestaltung.