Distinguished 13 x 19 etching of Albert Einstein facing forward by Elias M. Grossman, his famous shock of white hair slicked back over his head, signed in the lower border in pencil by the artist, "Elias M. Grossman." The etching also carries Grossman's facsimile signature inherent to the print: "Elias M. Grossman, Caputh 1930." In very good to fine condition, with a repaired tear to the right edge, a crease to the bottom border, and heavy creasing to the top border, all of which could matted out.
Elias M. Grossmann (1898–1947) was in Kobryn, Belarus. At the age of 13, he migrated to the United States with his family. He studied at the Educational Alliance Art School and later in Paris. In New York, he was a student of William Auerbach-Levy, who taught him the art of etching. In the 1930s and 1940s, Grossman undertook several longer trips, including to Italy, Spain, and Palestine. Grossman became known primarily for his etchings, which often depict landscapes or portraits.
Einstein and Grossman probably only met once. Grossman describes his visit to Einstein in his 1937 publication 'An Etcher's Intimate Album.' In the summer of 1930, Grossmann traveled to Caputh to Einstein's summer house and painted the scientist on the terrace. Grossman was surprised by the friendliness of the world-famous Nobel laureate, who, unpretentiously moved several times when the lighting situation required it. During the session, they talked, and Einstein's knowledge of art and etching greatly impressed Grossman.
