Title Illegible, charcoal on paper, 1920
Elbsandstein Gebirge, oil on canvas, 41 x 32 cm.
Undated. "Gebirge" is "Mountains" and "Sandstein" is sandstone. These formations are at the Elbe River, between Saxony and Bohemia.
Undated. "Gebirge" is "Mountains" and "Sandstein" is sandstone. These formations are at the Elbe River, between Saxony and Bohemia.
Black-eyed Susans, August 18, 1920, oil on canvas, 41 x 51 cm.
This uses a characteristic palette for Martin in the 1920's. I love it!
This uses a characteristic palette for Martin in the 1920's. I love it!
Women in Park, ca 1920, oil on canvas, 44 x 54 cm
Cathedral Forest, 1921, oil on canvas, 46 x 58 cm.
There is a sticker on the back saying "Große Berliner Kunstausstellung 1921," meaning, "Great Berlin Art Exhibition 1921." He wrote, "M. Ideler, Berline, Lichterfelde, Marienstraße 20," his address. There is no title, I made one up for reference.
There is a sticker on the back saying "Große Berliner Kunstausstellung 1921," meaning, "Great Berlin Art Exhibition 1921." He wrote, "M. Ideler, Berline, Lichterfelde, Marienstraße 20," his address. There is no title, I made one up for reference.
Bridge Near Zingst, 1923, unframed oil on canvas, 40 x 54 cm.
Esther stapled the canvas to a cardboard and wrote "Bridge in Zingst (?) 1923" on the back of the cardboard. Zingst is the Eastern part of an island in the Baltic Sea directly north of Berlin. The central part of the island is Ahrenshoop. Their tourist site says, "In the last decade of the 19th century, a few art painters discovered the secluded countryside and picturesque landscape around Ahrenshoop and founded an artists' colony." I was unable to find a stone bridge near Zingst, so either this is from somewhere else, or the bridge is gone.
Esther stapled the canvas to a cardboard and wrote "Bridge in Zingst (?) 1923" on the back of the cardboard. Zingst is the Eastern part of an island in the Baltic Sea directly north of Berlin. The central part of the island is Ahrenshoop. Their tourist site says, "In the last decade of the 19th century, a few art painters discovered the secluded countryside and picturesque landscape around Ahrenshoop and founded an artists' colony." I was unable to find a stone bridge near Zingst, so either this is from somewhere else, or the bridge is gone.
Buildings, Aug 26, 1923, charcoal on paper, 22 x 36 cm
On the back of this one, in Esther's handwriting, it says "Movie Backdrop, 1926?, oil on cardboard." 27 x 30 cm.
Martin occasionally worked for UFA, a Berlin-based film company. This could have been a study for a backdrop. It is framed, but Esther probably did that.
Martin occasionally worked for UFA, a Berlin-based film company. This could have been a study for a backdrop. It is framed, but Esther probably did that.
Still Life with Lemons, 1926, oil on canvas, 43 x 52 cm.
On the back, Martin wrote "27/28 II 1920/1926," meaning he painted it in February 27 and 28, 1920, and then worked on it again in 1926. It was probably shown at an exhibition.
On the back, Martin wrote "27/28 II 1920/1926," meaning he painted it in February 27 and 28, 1920, and then worked on it again in 1926. It was probably shown at an exhibition.
Cubist Still Life with Lemons, oil on canvas, 1920?
The same props as the painting above. Possibly the first draft? Experimentation with style.
The same props as the painting above. Possibly the first draft? Experimentation with style.
Village Scene, oil on canvas, 1926 (?)
The apple trees are blooming. This might be in France. I am not sure if the date reads 1916, 1926, or 1936. Sheesh.
The apple trees are blooming. This might be in France. I am not sure if the date reads 1916, 1926, or 1936. Sheesh.
Pastries, 1927, oil on cardboard, 28 x 38 com.
This painting hung in the kitchen at Lichterfelde. Martin brought the fish-shaped pastries home from a French bakery in downtown Berlin. Martin was an avid Francophile and that extended to French food. Fortunately for him, his mother-in-law, who lived in the same house, was the daughter of a Frenchwoman, and cooked in the French style. Esther remembers that they were not allowed to eat the pastries until the painting was finished (she was six years old at the time). The apples came from their own tree.
This painting hung in the kitchen at Lichterfelde. Martin brought the fish-shaped pastries home from a French bakery in downtown Berlin. Martin was an avid Francophile and that extended to French food. Fortunately for him, his mother-in-law, who lived in the same house, was the daughter of a Frenchwoman, and cooked in the French style. Esther remembers that they were not allowed to eat the pastries until the painting was finished (she was six years old at the time). The apples came from their own tree.
Cubist Still Life with Palette, 1928, oil on canvas. 28 x 31 cm.
Martin painted similar still lifes in many different ways over his lifetime. This one is a study in whites.
Martin painted similar still lifes in many different ways over his lifetime. This one is a study in whites.
Still Life with Inkwell, 1920's, oil on canvas.
Another study in whites.
Another study in whites.
Houses at the Baltic, 1929, oil on cardboard, 33 x 41 cm.
This may have been an area they came back to year after year. I think the "White Building" painting is of a similar scene.
This may have been an area they came back to year after year. I think the "White Building" painting is of a similar scene.
Leuchtturm in Jershöft (Lighthouse in Jershöft), oil on canvas, July 15 & 16, 1929, 27 x 37 cm.
On the back, Martin wrote that it was exhibited at "Deutsche Kunstgemeinschaft 1929." He used Zet-Farben (professional grade colors), Leinöl, (linseed oil), with Grund Leim & Bleiweiß (gesso of lime and lead-white).
Jershöft is on the Baltic in Poland. Back then, this part of Poland had a lot of German speakers. Lonni had relatives in Silesia, and her children spent summers with them. Martin may have been along on one of these trips.
On the back, Martin wrote that it was exhibited at "Deutsche Kunstgemeinschaft 1929." He used Zet-Farben (professional grade colors), Leinöl, (linseed oil), with Grund Leim & Bleiweiß (gesso of lime and lead-white).
Jershöft is on the Baltic in Poland. Back then, this part of Poland had a lot of German speakers. Lonni had relatives in Silesia, and her children spent summers with them. Martin may have been along on one of these trips.