Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita (1868 - 1944)

Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita (1868 - 1944) - photo 1

Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita

Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita was a Dutch graphic artist, born on June 6, 1868, in Amsterdam, into a Sephardic Jewish family. He became well-known for his contributions to graphic art, especially in the years leading up to the Second World War, and was notable for his mentorship of the famed artist M. C. Escher. De Mesquita's work was characterized by a variety of techniques and mediums, including wood engravings, etchings, lithographs, watercolors, and drawings. His art often featured birds, exotic animals, plants, flowers, and fantastical elements, both humorous and grim, showcasing his deep experimentation and mastery over his craft​​.

His career took a significant turn around 1915 when he began to gain prominence within Dutch graphic art, partly due to his teaching positions in the field. De Mesquita's penchant for experimentation led him to explore various materials for his prints, such as marble and zinc, and he often processed his prints with other materials, resulting in unique artworks. His subjects ranged from his immediate surroundings, such as his own home or the Artis zoo in Amsterdam, to more experimental and imaginative works that included quasi-human figures and fantastical landscapes​​.

Unfortunately, de Mesquita's life and career were tragically cut short by the Holocaust. Despite friends urging him to go into hiding, Samuel and his wife believed their Sephardic heritage would protect them. This proved to be a fatal miscalculation, and on January 31, 1944, they were arrested by the Nazis and subsequently died in Auschwitz. Their son Jaap died in Theresienstadt in March of the same year. M.C. Escher, a former pupil and friend, managed to save some of de Mesquita's works after his death, preserving his legacy for future generations​​.

Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita's body of work is a testament to his skill and creativity, with his pieces held in collections like the Kunstmuseum Den Haag and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. His works range from serene and simple depictions of animals and plants to more complex and imaginative 'Sensitivist' drawings that evoked a unique world from the artist's imagination​​​​.

For collectors and experts in art and antiques, de Mesquita's work offers a unique insight into the rich tradition of Dutch graphic arts and the avant-garde experiments of the early 20th century. His influence, particularly on M.C. Escher, highlights his importance in the development of graphic arts. Sign up for updates related to Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita to stay informed about new product sales and auction events showcasing his remarkable works.

Date and place of birt:6 june 1868, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Date and place of death:11 february 1944, Oświęcim, Poland
Nationality:Poland, The Netherlands
Period of activity: XIX, XX century
Specialization:Artist, Graphic artist
Genre:Allegory, Portrait, Self-portrait
Art style:Modern art

Creators Poland

Peter Reinicke (1711 - 1768)
Peter Reinicke
1711 - 1768
Wojciech Kossak (1856 - 1942)
Wojciech Kossak
1856 - 1942
Albrecht Bräuer (1830 - 1897)
Albrecht Bräuer
1830 - 1897
Shimon Bogushovich (1575 - 1648)
Shimon Bogushovich
1575 - 1648
Antoni Falat (1942)
Antoni Falat
1942
Arthur Nakht-Samborsky (1898 - 1974)
Arthur Nakht-Samborsky
1898 - 1974
Leopold Lefleur (1827 - 1898)
Leopold Lefleur
1827 - 1898
 Natalia LL (1937 - 2022)
Natalia LL
1937 - 2022
Józef Gosławski (1908 - 1963)
Józef Gosławski
1908 - 1963
Henrik Pillati (1832 - 1894)
Henrik Pillati
1832 - 1894
Fyodor Fyodorovich Buchholz (1857 - 1942)
Fyodor Fyodorovich Buchholz
1857 - 1942
Eduard Kaempffer (1859 - 1926)
Eduard Kaempffer
1859 - 1926
Mikhas Sevruk (1905 - 1979)
Mikhas Sevruk
1905 - 1979
Eugen Dekkert (1865 - 1956)
Eugen Dekkert
1865 - 1956
Kliment Nikolaevich Red'ko (1897 - 1956)
Kliment Nikolaevich Red'ko
1897 - 1956
Ernst Kolbe (1876 - 1945)
Ernst Kolbe
1876 - 1945

Creators Modern art

Joseph Frank (1885 - 1967)
Joseph Frank
1885 - 1967
John Tunnard (1900 - 1971)
John Tunnard
1900 - 1971
Richard Hünten (1867 - 1952)
Richard Hünten
1867 - 1952
Joseph Beuys (1921 - 1986)
Joseph Beuys
1921 - 1986
Robert Polhill Bevan (1865 - 1925)
Robert Polhill Bevan
1865 - 1925
Richard Lindner (1901 - 1978)
Richard Lindner
1901 - 1978
Dino Martens (1894 - 1970)
Dino Martens
1894 - 1970
Alexander Eckener (1870 - 1944)
Alexander Eckener
1870 - 1944
Irene Rice Pereira (1902 - 1971)
Irene Rice Pereira
1902 - 1971
J. Wagner (XIX century - ?)
J. Wagner
XIX century - ?
Ernst Hodel II (1881 - 1955)
Ernst Hodel II
1881 - 1955
Oscar-Claude Monet (1840 - 1926)
Oscar-Claude Monet
1840 - 1926
Manfred Pernice (1963)
Manfred Pernice
1963
Auguste Herbin (1882 - 1960)
Auguste Herbin
1882 - 1960
Rudolf Alexander Agricola (1912 - 1990)
Rudolf Alexander Agricola
1912 - 1990
Rudolf Franz Ullmann (1889 - 1973)
Rudolf Franz Ullmann
1889 - 1973