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Lot Essay
The present portrait exemplifies Horst Janssen’s remarkable facility as a draughtsman, in which economy of line is combined with acute psychological presence. Dated the 15th of April 1977, the present sheet is a portrait of Nicolaus Rackow, the younger of Viola and Jürgen Rackow's two sons, who was known by the nickname ‘Nicobus’. Characteristically, Janssen captures likeness with striking immediacy, distilling Nicobus' features into an incisive silhouette.
Horst Janssen met Viola Rackow, in the summer of 1976 and although their love affair was a brief one, beginning early in 1977 and ending in the summer of the following year, they nevertheless remained friends for many years afterwards. The artist sent her numerous illustrated letters, most of which were collected and published as a book in 1986, and in which the present work is illustrated.
Horst Janssen met Viola Rackow, in the summer of 1976 and although their love affair was a brief one, beginning early in 1977 and ending in the summer of the following year, they nevertheless remained friends for many years afterwards. The artist sent her numerous illustrated letters, most of which were collected and published as a book in 1986, and in which the present work is illustrated.