Rickshaw, by D.L. Bloch, Shanghai 1941-1942. Volume with 60 woodcuts by David Ludwig Bloch. [Shangahi, ca. 1942].
A series of impressive woodcuts, depicting daily life of Chinese rickshaw drivers, created by David Ludwig Bloch, a Jewish refugee in Shanghai, during the 1940s. This series of woodcuts is the first of four series created by Bloch while living in Shanghai, in which he depicted in great detail what surrounded him, mainly the life of the lower class Chinese population.
The book was printed by the artist in a limited edition of ten copies only. Presented is copy no. 6, signed and numbered by the artist.
David Ludwig Bloch (1910-2002) was born in Germany to a Jewish family. He lost his parents at an early age and became deaf when still a young child. He started to study porcelain painting in 1925, and later studied in the Art Academy in Munich. For several years he worked as a graphic designer for a department store in the town of Straubing, Bavaria. He was fired in 1938 for being Jewish. During Kristallnacht he was arrested and deported to Dachau concentration camp where he was held for four weeks. Bloch was then released and succeeded in fleeing to Shanghai - the only place in the world that allowed Jews to enter with no passport or visa.
Bloch stayed in Shanghai for about ten years and was involved in painting. His work depicts daily life in the city, the Jewish Ghetto in particular. First he used watercolor and later created drawings in pencil as well as woodcuts (a technique which he mastered in Shanghai). During these years he created hundreds of woodcuts which he compiled in four series: "Rickshaw", "Beggars", "Chinese Children", and "Yin and Yang". His works were exhibited in various exhibitions in the city and gained positive reviews.
In 1949 Bloch immigrated to New-York with his wife whom he met about a year after arriving in Shanghai. In the United States Bloch continued his artistic activity and worked as a graphic designer. His creations were inspired by his life in Shanghai and his memories from Dachau concentration camp. [64] leaves (sheets folded into two, unopened, printed on one side), 21 cm. Woodcuts: Approx. 7X5 cm - 9X12 cm. Good condition. Foxing and dampstaining. Torn spine, damaged binding.