Surprise – For Children: Watercolors from 1923 – 1925

Unfortunately

Whoever looked at her animal images for children was often surprised: what did F. Dethleffs-Edelmann do to paint animal watercolors for children? The theme did not seem to fit into their other paintings - to their paintings with flowers, portraits, and landscapes? Was it the birth of her daughter Ursula in 1933? This could not be true - the children's paintings were already painted by her in 1923.

Only recently I found the solution in one of her diaries of 1923. The little diary (only 16 x 11 cm) had accompanied her on her journey to North Germany- to Borkum, Harpstedt, etc.

Unfortunately, this diary - like all others - can hardly be deciphered. I was glad that I was able to sort out a few words on the page. After the last sentence everything was clear:

"Happy is who forgets what is not to be changed! The sea was very beautiful all day. I sketch a little again - but I do not want to think about that when I want to keep the good mood. Now I know I can never paint anything. I will take another path - perhaps paint children's books or similar ... "

The solution to the puzzle was the artist's despair of her painting. As a girl she had only one goal: she wanted to become a painter. A teacher, however, had ascertained that she were not gifted enough. This criticism had burnt into her consciousness. Their self-confidence was disturbed. She was therefore her toughest critic in her lifetime. Not least, their works have become so valuable. Fortunately, she also overcame the depression of 1923 and painted again and again.

The photos show some pages of the calendar with watercolors and their notes, which she has just written down for herself. Since they are so hard to read, their secrets will be lost.

Strand bei Borkum, Aquarell 1923
Strand bei Borkum, Aquarell 1923
F. Edelmann  Die Selbstkritik  1923
F. Edelmann Die Selbstkritik 1923
Wassermühle in Harpstedt, Aquarell 1923
Wassermühle in Harpstedt, Aquarell 1923
Wassermühle in Harpstedt, Aquarell 1923
Wassermühle in Harpstedt, Aquarell 1923
Links: Orte der Reise von 1923 + Rechts: Harpstedt Aquarell 1923
Links: Orte der Reise von 1923 + Rechts: Harpstedt Aquarell 1923
 

Surprise – For Children: Watercolors from 1923 – 1925

Fridel Dethleffs-Edelmann, whose precious paintings are famous for their flowers, portraits and landscapes, is surprised by watercolors for a children's book, which was planned 90 years ago: With the Nikolas as title and 12 animal watercolors; 6 further sketches with children's pictures. All the watercolors painted by the 23-year-old Fridel Edelmann between 1923 and 1925.

The young artist studied at the „Landeskunstschule in Karlsruhe“. The watercolors correspond to two different styles. Fridel Edelmann has been inspired by two professors, Ernst Würtenberger and Hermann Gehri. Prof. Ernst Würtenberger was her most important teacher. He called Fridel Edelmann in 1925 as his "master student". At Würtenberger she had become involved in the art genre - graphics. He had accompanied Fridel Edelmann with her watercolors for the planned "children's book" with animal 

(Kopie 1)

101154_ Naseweiss, Aquarell-Tusche, um 1923, VS Monogramm FE
101183_ Komm tanz mit mir, Aquarell-Tusche, 1923,  VS Monogramm FE
101183_ Komm tanz mit mir, Aquarell-Tusche, 1923, VS Monogramm FE
101155_ Laubfrosch mit Leckerbissen,  Aquarell-Tusche, um 1923
101155_ Laubfrosch mit Leckerbissen, Aquarell-Tusche, um 1923
101168_Gänseliesel, Aquarell-Tusche, um 1923_ VS Monogramm FE
101168_Gänseliesel, Aquarell-Tusche, um 1923_ VS Monogramm FE
101184_Bremer Stadtmusikanten, Aquarell-Tusche, 1923, VS Monogramm FE
101186_ Von der Mutter beschützt, Aquarell-Tusche, 1923, VS Monogramm FE
101187_ Spielt ihr mit mir, Aquarell-Tusche, 1923, VS Monogramm FE
101187_ Spielt ihr mit mir, Aquarell-Tusche, 1923, VS Monogramm FE
101190_ Schwanensee,  Aquarell-Tusche, um 1923, VS Monogramm FE
101190_ Schwanensee, Aquarell-Tusche, um 1923, VS Monogramm FE
101192_ Hahnenkampf, Aquarell-Tusche,  um 1923, VS Monogramm FE
101192_ Hahnenkampf, Aquarell-Tusche, um 1923, VS Monogramm FE
101194_ Gelbbrustara, Aquarell-Tusche, u1923,  VS Monogramm FE
101194_ Gelbbrustara, Aquarell-Tusche, u1923, VS Monogramm FE
101191_ Am Rand des Waldes, Aquarell-Tusche, um 1923, VS Monogramm FE, 20,8 x 18 cm
101191_ Am Rand des Waldes, Aquarell-Tusche, um 1923, VS Monogramm FE, 20,8 x 18 cm
101189_ Der gute Hirte,  Aquarell-Tusche , um 1923, VS Monogramm FE
101189_ Der gute Hirte, Aquarell-Tusche , um 1923, VS Monogramm FE
WVZ-Nr. 101182 Nikolaus_1923
WVZ-Nr. 101182 Nikolaus_1923
 
 

These liquid painted watercolors are typical for Fridel Edelmann and for their education at the "Landeskunstschule Karlsruhe". However, while many artists after the World War I also combined social criticism with their art, the artist finds this social criticism only in the last of these watercolors:

A girl left alone, whose hair is disheveled, whose dress is old and torn - sitting barefoot in a stone quarry on the cold stone slab; The little sister embraces her on her lap.

This distance from social grievances corresponds to their circumstances: Fridel Edelmann had not suffered much deprivation during the First World War and in the post-war period, thanks to the affectionate care of her parents. Only hunger was always bad, but mostly their parents bridged their hardship with potato-baskets sent by mail, etc. Fridel Dethleffs-Edelmann was involved in the protective families. In addition, she lived only during her studies in the city of Karlsruhe, otherwise in small towns or villages; The social grievances were much lower in the neighborhood of small communities.

 

 

101197_2  Junge und Mädchen, Aquarell-Bleistift, 1923, Rückseite-signiert
101197_2 Junge und Mädchen, Aquarell-Bleistift, 1923, Rückseite-signiert
100027_ Ferien in Weilheim, Aquarell-Tusche, 1923 VS-datiert-betitelt
100027_ Ferien in Weilheim, Aquarell-Tusche, 1923 VS-datiert-betitelt
101200_ Mädchen mit Schürzen, Aquarell-Bleistift, um1925,
101200_ Mädchen mit Schürzen, Aquarell-Bleistift, um1925,
101199_ Mutter mit Töchtern, Aquarell-Bleistift, um1925, Vorderseite des Blattes
101199_ Mutter mit Töchtern, Aquarell-Bleistift, um1925, Vorderseite des Blattes
101197_1  Zwei sitzende Mädchen, Aquarell-Bleistift,  1923,  Vorderseite-signiert
101197_1 Zwei sitzende Mädchen, Aquarell-Bleistift, 1923, Vorderseite-signiert
101173_ Geschwister,  Aquarell-Tusche,  um 1925
101173_ Geschwister, Aquarell-Tusche, um 1925

These liquid painted watercolors are typical for Fridel Edelmann and for their education at the "Landeskunstschule Karlsruhe". However, while many artists after the World War I also combined social criticism with their art, the artist finds this social criticism only in the last of these watercolors:

A girl left alone, whose hair is disheveled, whose dress is old and torn - sitting barefoot in a stone quarry on the cold stone slab; The little sister embraces her on her lap.

This distance from social grievances corresponds to their circumstances: Fridel Edelmann had not suffered much deprivation during the First World War and in the post-war period, thanks to the affectionate care of her parents. Only hunger was always bad, but mostly their parents bridged their hardship with potato-baskets sent by mail, etc. Fridel Dethleffs-Edelmann was involved in the protective families. In addition, she lived only during her studies in the city of Karlsruhe, otherwise in small towns or villages; The social grievances were much lower in the neighborhood of small communities.

Bernd Riedle October 2016

(Sources: Workbook by F. Dethleffs-Edelmann: Years 1923 to 1925)