Autograph Letter with Sketch

Autograph Letter Signed with Original Sketch by Hans Erni to Nesto Jacometti. October 26th, 1938 . Signed "ton Erni ".

One page, double-sided. On ivory colored paper with black paper frame. In French. In excellent condition, except some minor aging signs (imperceptible stains). Perfectly readabe, although the nervous calligraphy. An original ink sketche representing four horses in different positions. 

An Autograph Letter of Thanks by the Swiss artist to his publisher of Graphic art, Nesto Jacometti. Hans Erni thanks for the critical text received, for the succesfull outcome of a vernissage, and informs of his precarious healthy state.

Hans Erni (Lucerna, 1909 – 2015)

The Swiss graphic designer, painter, illustrator, engraver and sculptor, Hans Erni is still today best-know with the name of "the Swiss Picasso" and for having illustrated postage stamps, his lithographs for the Swiss Red Cross. During his long career, he realized about 300 posters and several murals — including for the 1980 Salon international de l'automobile, Red Cross, IOC, United Nations and ICAO.

He illustrated about 200 books and created 90 postage stamps and 25 medals. In 1939 he realized his first major public success artwork : a mural titled "Vacation Land of the People" ,commissioned and displayed for the national exhibition in Zürich.

The Hans Erni Museum, situated in the grounds of the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne, contains a large collection of artworks, ceramics and theatre costumes and sets. . In 2004, he was awarded the honorary citizenship of the city of Lucerne. On 10 January 2009 he received the Swiss Award for lifetime accomplishment.

Nesto Jacometti (Locarno, 1898- 1973)

 Nesto Jacometti is  still today a fascinating figure of the Locano and International cultural scene of the last century. Collector and editor of graphic art, he was the promoter of two important editorial projects and adventures: the Guilde Internationale de la Gravure and L’Oeuvre Gravée

Born in Locarno at the end of the 19th century, at the age of 30 he left Ticino to move to Paris and immerse himself in the bohemian atmosphere of Montparnasse . The war forces him to return to Switzerland, to Geneva, where he works in the journalistic field and he knows figures as Albert Skira and Pierre Cailler. With the latter one a collaboration born and  resulted, in 1949, in a printing guild: an edition of etchings and lithographs destined for a wide circulation of the Paris School.

During all his life, Jacometti collaborates and involves artists such as Rufino Tamayo and Jean Lurçat, Antoni Clavé, Zao Wou-Ki, Alfred Manessier, Gustave Singier and Zoran Music. He was awarded at the Venice Biennale in 1953, with the Critics' Grand Prix. In 1955 Jacometti engaged in the new publishing initiative, L'Oeuvre Gravée, calling new prestigious names on the Parisian art scene. Many artists owe their initiation to the art of engraving to him: Marino Marini, Massimo Campigli, Zao Wou-Ki, Johnny Friedlaender, Corneille, Max Ernst and Alberto Magnelli.