Oil on canvas painting, featuring church and river scene. Signed and attr. Erich Heckel (German, 1883-1970) on bottom right corner. 14.5 x 19 inch (36.8 x 48.3 cm). Painter and printmaker Erich Heckel is considered one of Germany's most important artists; he was instrumental in launching Die BrÃcke (The Bridge) movement while studying architecture at the University of Dresden in 1905. His early work shifted in tone as he moved from painting in nature to reacting to the psychological isolation of modern urban life in Berlin. Heckel designed starkly graphic prints of figures—often depicted in states of psychological distress”within simplified compositions, and he was influenced by the literature and philosophy of Nietzsche and Dostoevsky. He continued to work through military service in World War II, and later became active in socialist artists' organizations, including Novembergruppe and the Arbeitsrat für Kunst. During the Second World War, the Nazis labeled Heckel a 'degenerate artist' his studio was destroyed and 729 works were confiscated from public collections.

All authorship of items in this catalog are described according to the following terms:

By [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work is by the artist.

Attributed to [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work may be ascribed to the artist on the basis of style, but there may be some question as to actual authorship.

In the manner of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but was designed deliberately to emulate the style of the artist.

After [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but is a deliberate copy of a known work by the artist.

Circle of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil.

Follower of [Artist Name]: In our opinion, a work by a pupil or a follower of the artist (not necessarily a pupil).

American, 19th century : In our opinion, this work was executed by an unknown hand, and can only be identified by origin (i.e., region, period).

Bears signature : In our opinion, the signature on the artwork may be spurious.
Apocryphal : Of doubtful authenticity.