Artist

Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita

Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita was a Dutch-Jewish painter, woodblock artist, and designer who was active in Amsterdam from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. He produced woodblock prints characterized by the contrast of light and dark and sharp lines, as well as drawings and designs filled with free-spirited ideas reminiscent of Surrealism .

Samuel Jesul de Mesquita Biography

• Born June 6, 1868 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, into a Jewish family.
• Studied at the Rijkskauseum (now the University of the Arts Amsterdam)
• Continuing his artistic endeavors while working as a teacher
• Creates works using a variety of media, including woodblock prints, drawings, and designs
• Died on February 11, 1944 at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp (aged 75)

Representative works

• Woodblock prints:

  • "Animals of Artis Zoo" series
  • Exotic Birds series

• drawing:

  • "Dreamy Landscape"
  • "Allegorical Figures"

Mesquita's style and achievements

Mesquita's work is characterized by its strong contrast between light and dark, symbolism, and surrealist elements. His woodblock printmaking skills are particularly highly regarded, and his works featuring animal and plant motifs are appealing for their detailed depictions and unique atmosphere.

Although Mesquita was not highly regarded during his lifetime, after his death his talent and originality were reevaluated, and he is now recognized as one of the most important artists in the history of Dutch art. One of his students was the famous printmaker M. C. Escher, and Mesquita's art has had a major influence on later generations.