Ludwig Heinrich Jungnickel Art for Sale: Prints & Originals

Ludwig
Heinrich Jungnickel

Ludwig Heinrich Jungnickel was an Austrian graphic designer and animal painter, celebrated for his intricate and expressive prints If you're looking for original Ludwig Heinrich Jungnickel prints and editions for sale or would like to sell, request a complimentary valuation and browse our network's most in-demand works.

Biography

Born on 22 July 1881 in Wunsiedel, Bavaria, Germany, Jungnickel began his artistic career at the Münchner Kunstgewerbeschule (Munich School of Arts and Crafts), where he honed his skills in graphic design. His year in Italy in 1898 ignited his interest in art, leading him to Vienna, where he was immersed in the vibrant art scene and the founding of the Vienna Secession, a movement closely related to Art Nouveau, and defined by its stylised works.

As his career progressed, Jungnickel became known for his animal portraits. His frequent visits to Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna provided him with opportunities to study animals closely. In addition to painting, he explored printmaking techniques, creating lithographs and woodcuts.

Jungnickel's print series, Tiere Der Fabel (Animals Of Fable), exemplified his ability to intertwine storytelling with stylised figuration. His 1917 woodcut from this series, titled Lütke, embodies the aesthetic features of the Vienna Secession movement with its strong Art Nouveau influences. The composition features a stork gripping a fox in its claws, rendered with fluid, rhythmic lines and intricate feather details. The subdued greys and earthy tones with subtle accents of red and yellow echoes the muted colour palette emblematic of Art Nouveau. This print reflects Jungnickel's capacity to blend decorative detail with narrative, embodying the Vienna Secession's embrace of symbolic and organic forms.

Among his accolades, Jungnickel received a lifetime honorary gift from the Austrian Federal President in 1955, recognising his contributions to the arts. He was also honoured with the Golden Laurel by the Society of Visual Artists in Vienna.

Today, Jungnickel's legacy continues to resonate with collectors and art enthusiasts who value his prints and paintings. His remarkable capacity to convey the beauty and complexity of the animal kingdom through various printmaking techniques stands as a testament to his exceptional skill and vision.

On 14 February 1965, Jungnickel died in Vienna at the age of 83. His legacy is defined by his position as a prominent figure of the Vienna Secession movement and his stylised works that capture the beauty of animals.

Jungnickel’s work centers on the portrayal of animals with a strong sense of character. His 1914 woodcut, Papageienwald, exemplifies this approach, depicting a dense cluster of parrots with dynamic, overlapping forms. The intricate feather patterns and vibrant colours draw attention to the individuality within the group. Jungnickel’s ability to observe and convey subtle behaviours invites viewers to intimately engage with wildlife, highlighting the complexity and vitality of the animal world.
Jungnickel was a central figure in the Vienna Secession, a movement that sought to embrace symbolism and break free from the traditional constraints of Austrian art during the Fin de Siècle. Jungnickel's illustrations and graphic works stood out for their vivacity and were showcased alongside works of other artists such as Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. His commitment to the Secessionist ethos was reflected in his contributions to their exhibitions and the magazine Ver Sacrum, which became a cornerstone for the dissemination of the group's revolutionary artistic ideas.

Ludwig
Heinrich Jungnickel