Profound 16 x 20 lithograph of the pensive Albert Einstein in a head-and-shoulders pose, his head tilted downward, signed in the lower right in pencil by the artist, "Eugen Spiro." The lithograph also carries Einstein's facsimile signature inherent to the print. In fine condition.
Eugen Spiro (1874–1972) was born in Breslau and died in New York. From 1900 to 1933, he was a member of the Munich Secession, during which he participated in several exhibitions. Beginning in 1906, Spiro was a member of the Berlin Secession. In 1924, he was appointed professor at the State Art School in Berlin. Spiro became a well-known portraitist in Berlin during the twenties. From 1935, increasing anti-Semitism forced him to migrate, first to Paris and in 1941 to the United States.
Eugen Spiro and Albert Einstein both lived simultaneously in Berlin. In 1928, the artist supposedly tried in vain to arrange a meeting with Einstein, as he wanted to portray the scientist. However, Einstein declined. He is said to have expressed himself as follows: 'Mr. Spiro, you are a famous painter and do not need to portray me in particular. My time is limited, and if I were to have a portrait made, it should be by a penniless artist whom I could help in the process.' Only in 1941, when Spiro migrated to the United States, was he able to portray Einstein, as he then met the requirements of the 'penniless artist.'
