Nachtigal, Emma

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Emma Valeska Nachtigal (1875 - 1969)

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Emma Nachtigal is represented with this fine (1921) Alpine woodblock (reminding of examples by Martha Cunz) and two matching prints of her hometown Stuttgart titled: ”Stuttgart” (1947) and “Rote Berg” (1944).

It is remarkable her work in the past was hardly known let alone appeared on the market. In recent years however more examples of her work surface in auctions in Germany. It is in contrast to the general picture less and less works by known printmakers seem to be offered nowadays compared to 5-10 years ago.

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Walli (“Frau Wulli”) Peretz-Brutzkus (Bruskus)

(Moscow 01-10-1884 - possibly in Belarus/Russia 1942)

Painter, printmaker and sculptor, said to have come to Germany from Russia (Moscow) in 1918.

Studied under Franz Skarbina (1849-1910) (who taught anatomical drawing in Berlin “Kunstgewerbemuseum”) and under classical historian Otto Seeck* (1850-1921). She is known by half a dozen woodblock prints, showing floral still life (bouquets in vases): Sunflowers (found in France), Physalis (Chinese lantern) and Anemones, Tulips and Red Berries, prints executed in a modernist style. In the Berlin “Graphotek” collection a print is kept titled “Bauernhaus”. It is probably is showing a Russian farm is and is described as a hand coloured etching but could be another woodblock print. She is most probably named after her grandmother Valeria in Polangen (Memel). Valeria is mentioned in a 1914 Article in the American Jewish Newspaper “The Advocate” by (her brother) Boris Brutzkus in an article concerning Romania (page 855).

Married to Ignatz Peretz mentioned in “Jüdisches Addressbuch 1930/31” at the same address as Wallie Peretz-Bruskus in Dressler KHB 1930./

A copy of the “Chinese Lantern” print is known with a label from the Cleveland Ohio (America) “Sterling & Welch Co”. This posh warehouse, famous for the worlds largest indoor Christmas tree and housing the worlds finest home furnishing stores in the world, could have been the location of a (travelling) exhibition with German graphic artists in which she took part or an art gallery representing Walli Peretz.

“Walli” is the German equivalent for the name Valeria, “Valya” the Russian equivalent. The flower prints are all signed “Walli Peretz”.

Exhibited in 1925 Berlin “Juryfreie Kunstschau” in the “Lehrer Bahnhof Landesausstellungs-gebäude” with two works: no. 978 “Araberin” and
No. 979 “Araber A.”.
In the same 1927 exhibition with No. 735 “Alt Jerusalem and No. 736 “Jordan”

In “Zeitschrift Heimat”, No. 8; 17 November 1927 Walli Peretz appeared in colour on the title page and probably with an article and interview..

* Otto Seeck is known for his 6 volume: “Geschichte des Untergangs der antiken Welt” (History of the Decline of the Ancient World).

Dresslers KHB. 1930: “Frau Wulli Peretz-Bruskus”: Berlin NO, Greifswalderstraße 89a. Member RvbK.
Jüdisches Adressbuch 1930/31: NO 55, Greifswalderstrasse 89a: Ignatz Peretz.

Read more about Walli’s extensive family in “Das Haus der Frau” Vol. 1.