Struck Hermann

b. Berlin, 1876 - d. Haifa, 1944

Bearded Man, 1909, black and white chalkBearded Man, 1909, black and white chalkHermann Struck, painter and engraver, was born into a wealthy Orthodox Jewish family in Berlin. He was introduced to the art of etching, at which he excelled, by Hans Meyer at the Berlin Academy of Art and it soon became his favorite technique. In 1900, Struck traveled to Holland, where he studied with Jozef Israels. He became a Zionist at an early age, was one of the founders of "Hamizrachi" movement, and was active in the Zionist movement throughout his life. His early works are signed by his Hebrew name, Haim Aharon ben David. Struck was not only a master of his craft, but an excellent teacher as well. Among his students were Marc Chagall, Max Liebermann, Jozef Israels, and Lovis Corinth, all, except for Chagall, by far his seniors.
In 1908, he published a textbook, Die Kunst des Radierens (The Art of Etching), which provided both theory and practical instruction. The book was in great demand and stimulated the art of etching among both professional and amateur artists. During World War I, Struck served as a German army liaison officer to the Jewish communities of Lithuania and Belorussia and in 1919 was attached to the German delegation to the Versailles Peace Conference as an advisor on Jewish affairs. In 1922, he moved to Palestine and settled in Haifa, where he worked mostly in etching.





The Son of the Ancient People, After a painting by Jozef Israels, 1907, etchingThe Son of the Ancient People, After a painting by Jozef Israels, 1907, etchingPolish Jew in the Snow, 1921, oil on canvas Polish Jew in the Snow, 1921, oil on canvas Jew with Solitary Tree, etching and aquatinta Jew with Solitary Tree, etching and aquatinta Old Jew from Jaffa, 1903, etching Old Jew from Jaffa, 1903, etching

















A Jew Praying at the Wailing Wall, etching A Jew Praying at the Wailing Wall, etching Herzl, Portrait en Face, etching Herzl, Portrait en Face, etching Portrait of Theodor Herzl, 1903, etching Portrait of Theodor Herzl, 1903, etching Portrait of Sigmund Freud, etching Portrait of Sigmund Freud, etching

















Portrait of Einstein, 1923, lithograph Portrait of Einstein, 1923, lithograph Portrait of Einstein, 1931, etching Portrait of Einstein, 1931, etching Portrait of Theodor Herzl, 1903, The original plate for etching Portrait of Theodor Herzl, 1903, The original plate for etching