HAP Grieshaber, Original Color Woodcut, Signed, 1972

HAP Grieshaber

Red 1909 - 1981 Achalm near Reutlingen


Color woodcut on Japanese laid paper

Hand-signed in pencil lower right

Sheet size: approx. 54 x 64 cm

One of 100 copies from the portfolio "Pablo Neruda, Stay on Earth" published in 1972

good condition (see photos)



Authenticity is guaranteed in writing.


Helmut Andreas Paul Grieshaber was born on February 15, 1909 in Rot an der Rot, Upper Swabia. He completed his schooling in Nagold and Reutlingen from 1915 to 1926, then began an apprenticeship as a printer and typesetter. At the same time, Grieshaber began studying calligraphy at the State Book Trade School in Stuttgart. The artist spent the years from 1931 to 1933 abroad: During a six-month stay in London he worked as an illustrator and book graphic artist, including for the magazine "Vogue". In 1932, Grieshaber traveled via Paris to Egypt and Greece, where he was able to organize exhibitions of his own work in various cities. In Athens he publishes the cultural-political magazine “Deutsche Zeitung”. The project led to threats from the German envoy in April 1933, and Grieshaber was forced to return to Germany. Since 1932, the artist has intensively dealt with the woodcut technique, which quickly became the most important artistic medium for him. In the so-called "Reutlinger Prints" he developed his typical graphic style, which is strongly influenced by medieval woodcut technology. After he was banned from painting and exhibiting in 1933, Grieshaber was only able to show his work in disguised exhibitions. This is the official title of the exhibition in the Valentien Gallery in Stuttgart: "Arabic Folk Books - Greek Folk Paintings". During this time he earned his living as an unskilled worker and newspaper delivery boy. In 1940 Grieshaber became a soldier and in 1945 he was taken prisoner of war by Belgium. Since his return to Germany in 1947, the artist has lived on the Achalm near Reutlingen. In 1951, Grieshaber was appointed as a teacher at the Bernstein School near Sulz am Neckar. Further teaching positions followed in 1955 at the Academy in Karlsruhe as Erich Heckel's successor and in 1956 at the Academy of Arts in Berlin. Grieshaber resigned from his teaching position in Karlsruhe in 1960 in protest against the examination regulations. Starting in 1960, the artist worked for two years with Walter Warnach and Heinrich Böll on the magazine “Labyrinth.” In 1964, he became the founder and co-editor of the magazine “Engel der Geschichte,” which commented on current social issues. He also creates works for public spaces such as wooden reliefs, mosaics, wall paintings and stained glass windows. Grieshaber has been recognized through numerous awards and retrospectives. He took part in the documenta in 1959 and 1964. In 1978 he was elected corresponding member of the Academy of Arts in Berlin/East. Grieshaber died on May 12, 1981. In 1987 the “Freundeskreis HAP Grieshaber e.V.” was founded. founded.