Der Herbstblatter [right half] 1949

Imre Reiner created this print, titled "Der Herbstblatter," meaning "Autumn Leaves," at an unknown date using an unconfirmed printing method. The botanical subject matter, divided into two separate blocks, offers a stark visual contrast. Reiner was a Romanian-born artist, graphic designer, and writer who spent much of his career in Switzerland. Without a date for this work, it is difficult to say how it comments on the social structures of its time, but we can be sure that his European environment plays a key role. Switzerland, with its neutral stance during both World Wars, attracted many artists during periods of conflict and became known for graphic design. To understand the art of Reiner more deeply, it would be useful to consider the history of botanical illustration, and the cultural significance of the rose in different periods and locations. This kind of contextual research helps us to see art as something rooted in its social and institutional moment.