Extase - Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita
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Description
A 1922 woodcut by Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita, featuring a central figure surrounded by rhythmic lines and mask-like forms.
Extase, created by Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita in 1922, is a woodcut that demonstrates the artist's mastery of line and negative space. The composition features a central female figure with arms raised, surrounded by flowing, rhythmic lines that suggest movement or energy. Two mask-like faces appear on either side of the figure, adding a layer of psychological tension to the scene. The stark contrast between the black ink and the paper creates a graphic clarity that is characteristic of de Mesquita's printmaking practice.
De Mesquita was a Dutch graphic artist known for his technical precision and his ability to reduce complex forms into essential shapes. His work often explored themes of human emotion and the subconscious, moving away from strict realism toward a more symbolic representation. In this piece, the figure's posture and the surrounding patterns evoke a sense of spiritual or emotional release. The woodcut medium allows for bold, clean edges, which the artist uses to define the contours of the body against the dark, textured background.
This print reflects the influence of Art Nouveau and Symbolist aesthetics, which were prevalent in the early twentieth century. De Mesquita's approach to the woodblock was disciplined, focusing on the relationship between the carved surface and the printed image. The repetition of the vertical lines creates a sense of harmony, while the inclusion of the masks introduces an element of mystery. As a teacher and mentor to M.C. Escher, de Mesquita played a role in the development of Dutch graphic arts. This work remains a clear example of his ability to balance decorative patterns with figurative subjects, resulting in an image that is both balanced and evocative.
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Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
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To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Extase - Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita
Artist Biography
Samuel Jessurun De Mesquita
He was born in Amsterdam in 1868, of Portuguese Sephardic Jewish origin. He trained there and was appointed teacher at the School of Architecture and Decorative Arts in Haarlem in 1902, where he remained until 1926. Escher was his most famous student; it was De Mesquita who convinced the young Escher to abandon architecture for graphic arts, a decision that changed twentieth-century visual culture.
De Mesquita produced over four hundred prints, including woodcuts, wood engravings, etchings and lithographs, plus drawings and textile designs. His animal and bird woodcuts, with their stark black-and-white stylisation influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e, are among his most distinctive work. He was not religiously observant despite his Sephardic community background. His wife Elisabeth was gassed alongside him at Auschwitz; their son Jaap perished at Theresienstadt a month later. He died at Auschwitz, around 11 February 1944, at seventy-five.
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