Untitled (ceremony in cathedral), from "Der Dom" portfolio

Max Thalmann

"Der Dom" was a portfolio of abstracted cathedral interiors and ceremonies, created by Thalmann in 1923 and published in 1924. These works remain among Max Thalmann's most well-recognized, and are a strong example of the post-World War I German Expressionist style, replete with the hallmarks of modern spirituality that dominated much of the Eastern European art world at the time.

Max Thalmann worked primarily as a bookbinder and illustrator but, in between, created three portfolios that used the stark geometric lines and angles, symmetry and simplicity that was taught at the Bauhaus. His images also embraced the Japanese concept of "Notan" involving the interplay of light and dark. 'Notan' means dark versus light harmony, using the simple concept of contrasting light and dark shapes, or, black to white.

The portfolio was done in an edition of 300, of which 50 were fully pencil signed and editioned. The remaining 250 were initialed by Thalmann, such as this portfolio, number 61.