Dimensions: 39.5 x 34 cm (in light of frame)
Signed l.d.: 'Fried. Ivan'
Origin:
private collection, Lower Silesia
Biography
He began his artistic education at the age of 14 at the School of Fine Arts in Breslau, where he studied in 1903-08. He continued his studies in 1910-14 at the Academy of Fine Arts in Berlin - Charlottenburg, there he learned graphic techniques from Hans Meyer, and collaborated with Potsdam printer W. Braun. He created his own method, which was being improved all the time, for creating color etchings reflected from a single plate. Mobilized in 1914, he spent four years fighting on the fronts of World War I. Wounded, he returned to Berlin. In 1921, after his marriage, he moved to Karpacz, where he lived on Wilcza Poręba and in 1924 bought a house in Jelenia Góra, where he lived until his eviction in 1946. He created landscapes, mainly of the Karkonosze Mountains. His colorful etchings found buyers throughout Germany. They also served as models for postcards, which were often issued in series (such as Color etchings from the Giant Mountains - Farbige Radierungen aus dem Riesengebirge von Friedrich Iwan published by Max Leipelt in Cieplice). Iwan was also the creator of numerous occasional and commemorative prints. The artist was an outdoorsman, hiker and avid skier. He spent the winter months hiking with a backpack, in which he always had painting equipment. He was particularly known for his winter landscapes.
