Design Book of Gibitz Mariska

Hungary. Paper laid on boards. Good. Oblong folio, measuring 16 by 10.5 inches, or 41 by 27 cm. N.d. Circa early 20th century. 27 original watercolor patterns or designs by Gibitz Mariska, and most of the leaves are signed by him. Nothing is known of Mariska, but from these drawings of ornament and design it is clear he was a talented designer, and his eclecticism captured the catholic, and sophisticated tastes that prevailed in fin-de-siecle Central Europe prior to the devastation, moral and aesthetic, of the First World War. Here are diapers, or patterns, of ornament, geometric, floral, modernistic at times, at others, reading as Renaissance, Art Nouveau or Baroque in their styling. While some of the drawings evoke patterns to be found in the great style books, there is always an originality invested in these as well. Besides Mariska's name, we can pinpoint the origin of this album to Hungary and Budapest because the paper was made by a Budapest firm (Seefehlner or Gradl F. Adolf). The spine has been rebacked. The boards, with moire paper laid on, are considerably soiled, with a few large stains. The margins of the plates can be grubby. All the watercolors are bright and fresh.