Lothar Osterburg
Photogravures
Throughout diverse series of photogravures (Piranesi, City of Towers, Draw me a planet), Lothar Osterburg (Braunschweig, 1961 - still active in New York) shapes imaginary sceneries, notably inspired by 18th century artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi and his carceri d’invenzione. Almost working as film stills, Osterburg’s ‘scenes’ are somewhat reminiscent of silent and dark movies of the 1920s directed by Fritz Lang or Sergei Eisenstein.
Working from memory, he creates small-scale models out of readily available or found material, which he then proceeds to photograph through a magnifying glass or macro lens. The scenes are thus brought to lifesize dimensions and printed through the 19th century photographic process of copperplate photogravure.
His prints proved widely collected by public insitutions and private collectors and Lothar Osterburg is well-known for his unusual and inventive technique of photogravure through which various layers of Old Masters are rejuvenated.
Osterburg, Lothar
The Great Tower over Brooklyn Bridge,
Photogravure on Hahnemuhle White.
Sheet size: 20 x 28 inches.
Osterburg, Lothar
Tatami Room - In Praise of Shadows,
Photogravure on Hahnemuhle with Gampi Chine Colle.
Sheet size: 18 x 17 inches.
Osterburg, Lothar
Tatami Room Vista,
Photogravure on Hahnemuhle White.
Sheet size: 9 x 7 inches.
Osterburg, Lothar
Ice Museum,
Photogravure with surface roll on Hahnemuhle White
Sheet size: 21 x 18 inches.
Osterburg, Lothar
Sand Museum,
Photogravure with surface roll on Hahnemuhle White
Sheet size: 21 x 18 inches.
Osterburg, Lothar
Access around the corner,
Photogravure with surface roll on Hahnemuhle White
Sheet size: 10.5 x 12.5 inches.
Osterburg, Lothar
Sand Museum,
Photogravure on Hahnemuhle White.
Sheet size: 7.5 x 8 inches.
Osterburg, Lothar
A Room full of Chairs,
Photogravure with surface roll on Hahnemuhle White
Sheet size: 15 x 18 inches.