If the scant information online is correct, then Käthe Schönberger from Austria was 15 years old when she produced the illustrations for 'Aus Thier und Menschenleben' ('From Animal and Human Lives') in 1896. The personification of animals theme is very reminiscent of JJ Grandville's work (see particularly the uniformed chickens fighting). She picked a fine mentor, if so. The facial expressions and demeanour displayed above are really quite sophisticated at times.
I understand Käthe Olshausen-Schönberger (as she came to be called) died in 1967. There are other books around at commercial sites but they were all in German and I didn't pay much attention while searching for images.
- The whole 30 page book, 'Aus Thier und Menschenleben' is online at Universitätsbibliotheken Oldenburg.
- The last 3 images above come from NYPL -- but there are no more -- from 1907/8.
A single 1908 print at Antique Prints (1/2 way down page).
It's great!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these.
These are very interesting. But, I always wondered why humans have the desire to dress animals in people's clothing....
ReplyDeleteFantastic! My favourite theme! These illustrations are psychologically stunning!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful self-description of this artist's, Käthe Olshausen-Schönberger's, work appeared in "Contemporary Illustrators of Children's Books" by Bertha Mahony and Elinor Whitney, published by The Bookshop for Boys and Girls in 1930.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike. Looks like there are a few copies around.
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