Lot 273: Tadeusz Rychter (1873-1943) – Portrait of a Man – Watercolor on Paper

Tadeusz Rychter (1873-1943), Portrait of a Man. Tel-Aviv, 1928.
Watercolor on paper. Signed and dated.
34.5X24.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Foxing. Sketch on verso.
Tadeusz Rychter, born in Poland, studied at the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków. He married the Polish artist and socialite Bronisława Janowska, but the two separated after several years and Rychter moved to Munich, where he met his partner in life and art, Anna May-Rychter. In Munich, Rychter was introduced to the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, founder of anthroposophy, and was captivated by it. The Rycters soon became ardent anthroposophists and worked on decorating the first Goetheanum, the anthroposophical movement center in Dornach, Switzerland.
Ca. 1924, the Rychters were commissioned to paint watercolors of the Holy sites in Palestine by a company that sold the paintings in Europe. They settled in Jerusalem, creating delicate watercolors depicting the views and people of Palestine and commissioned portraits. Rychter was also hired to take part in the restoration of a church in Bethlehem. The Rychters displayed their works in various exhibitions. A review of a joint exhibition of their works at the Bezalel National Art Museum ("Doar Hayom", May 6, 1927) noted: "…Rychter is unique in his ability, not only in Palestine, but in Europe as well. He is one of the few who perfected the watercolor portrait. He was able to convey the subtlety of the tone […] and mainly the emotional expression. Here, the transparency of watercolors helps the artist peer through the skin into the subject's soul. Of all the portraits on display, most noticeable was the portrait of Mrs. Rychter (the artist's wife), which is as expertly executed as works by the greatest English aquarellists…" (Hebrew).
In 1935, Tadeusz Rychter applied for membership in the Palestine Artists' Association but was turned down, most probably because of his religion. In 1939, he was invited to Poland to create frescos for a new church, and with the outbreak of World War II was unable to return to Palestine. As far as is known, Ryhcter was arrested and murdered by the Nazis.