Fine Art Poster
From $29
A giclée print on 200gsm matte fine art paper, using a twelve-colour process for accurate, fade-resistant colour. Supplied unframed, delivered flat or rolled.
Zelfportret met cactus - Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita
Regular price
$29.00 USD
Sale price
$29.00 USD
Regular price
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
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Made to order
Description
A striking 1926 woodcut self-portrait by Dutch artist Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita, featuring bold graphic lines and a stylised botanical element.
Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita was a Dutch graphic artist known for his technical precision and distinctive use of the woodcut medium. This self-portrait, executed in 1926, demonstrates his ability to combine stark geometric forms with personal observation. The composition is structured around a central vertical axis, where the artist depicts himself positioned beneath a large, stylised cactus. The contrast between the solid black ink and the cream paper creates a graphic clarity typical of his work.
The artist employs a grid pattern behind his head, which serves to flatten the pictorial space and draw attention to the linear qualities of the portrait. His facial features are rendered with minimal, deliberate strokes, conveying a sense of detachment. The cactus, rendered in bold, dark shapes, looms over the figure, creating an unusual juxtaposition between the human subject and the botanical element. This choice of subject matter reflects his interest in natural forms, which he often abstracted to suit the requirements of the woodblock printing process.
De Mesquita was a teacher at the School of Decorative Arts in Haarlem, and his influence on younger artists, including M.C. Escher, is well documented. His approach to printmaking favoured economy of line and a rigorous control of the printing surface. This work is an example of his mature style, where the decorative potential of the woodcut is balanced with a psychological intensity. The framing of the image, with its thick borders, reinforces the self-contained nature of the scene. By isolating the subject within this rigid frame, the artist invites the viewer to focus on the interplay of shape and shadow. The work remains a clear representation of his technical mastery and his unique visual language within the Dutch art scene of the early twentieth century.
Return policy
Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
Shipping
We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
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
Care & Cleaning
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
Complete The Look
Zelfportret met cactus - Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita
Regular price
From $29.00 USD
Sale price
From $29.00 USD
Regular price
Fine Art Poster / A4 (21x29.7 cm) / -
Artist Biography
Samuel Jessurun De Mesquita
After the Nazis deported De Mesquita and his family in February 1944, M.C. Escher went to his teacher's ransacked house and rescued as much of his work as he could. Some of the prints Escher saved still bear the muddy boot prints of German soldiers. De Mesquita, his wife Elisabeth and their son Jaap all died in the camps.
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.
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.
Made to order
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Every piece is printed to order. These are the five finishes, and what makes each one different.
Fine Art Framed
From $89
The same fine art print in a solid wood frame with UV-protective acrylic glaze and rigid backing. Five frame colours. Arrives ready to hang.
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