Bookplate Daniel Pesl II (Exlibris Daniel Pesl II)

Bookplate Daniel Pesl II (Exlibris Daniel Pesl II) is an exquisite example of early graphic work by Franz Marc, executed around (c. 1902). Classified specifically as a print, the work employs lithography, a popular and flexible medium for fin-de-siècle commercial and fine art design, which Marc augmented with precise watercolor additions. This combination results in prints that possess a rich tonality and unique surface quality, differentiating them from purely mechanical reproductions.

This ex libris, designed for Daniel Pesl II, places Marc firmly within the German context of 1902, drawing subtly upon the flowing, organic stylistic currents of Jugendstil, the German variant of Art Nouveau. While this piece substantially predates the artist's full immersion into Fauvism and his seminal Expressionist years with Der Blaue Reiter, the technical skill and compositional clarity demonstrate the foundational training Marc received. The function of a bookplate required a decorative, emblematic design suitable for signifying personal ownership, often incorporating allegorical or heraldic motifs within a restrained format. Marc delivered a highly personalized yet formally strong piece that reflects the graphic design sensibilities prevalent throughout German artistic circles at the time.

The process of enhancing the lithograph with hand-applied watercolor ensures that the final product possesses individuality. This early graphic attempt is significant for documenting the trajectory of an artist who would quickly become one of Germany’s most prominent modernist figures. This scarce example is preserved within the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, acknowledging its contribution to early 20th-century German graphic arts. Since the work dates to 1902, it has entered the public domain in many regions, making high-resolution scans and reference prints available for study.