Heraldic Goose - Rolf Nesch

A striking metal print by Rolf Nesch, featuring a stylised, heraldic goose constructed from geometric segments and textured metal components.

Rolf Nesch, a German-Norwegian artist, developed a unique method of printmaking known as the metal print. This technique involves soldering various metal objects, wire, and mesh onto a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Heraldic Goose demonstrates this tactile approach, where the physical texture of the materials creates a relief effect on the final surface. The composition features a stylised, elongated bird form that dominates the vertical space. The creature is constructed from segmented, geometric shapes, each containing circular motifs that resemble eyes or decorative studs. The colour palette transitions from a warm, golden head to a cool, blue and green body, set against a stark, dark background.

The background itself is a complex arrangement of grid-like patterns and perforated textures, suggesting a woven or industrial fabric. This contrast between the organic, heraldic figure and the rigid, mechanical background is a hallmark of Nesch's work. His process rejects the traditional smoothness of etching or lithography, favouring instead the rough, physical presence of the plate. By incorporating found materials, Nesch bridges the gap between sculpture and printmaking. The resulting image possesses a raw, material quality that is difficult to achieve through conventional methods. The goose appears almost like a relic or a piece of folk art, reinterpreted through a modernist lens. This work is representative of Nesch's later period in Norway, where he continued to experiment with the physical limits of the printing press and the expressive potential of discarded metal components.