Rob S. Gessner – Original 1950 Aquatint
Original Limited Edition Aquatint
Signed Rob S. Gessner, 1950
Numbered 5/6 – Dedicated to the Swiss Artist Gotffried Honegger
In this 1950 aquatint, Gessner explores the subtle tension between form and space through a carefully balanced composition of abstract shapes. The interplay of earthy tones, layered textures, and simplified organic forms reveals the artist’s deep connection to Cubism, while the playful, almost musical arrangement of elements reflects the lasting influence of Paul Klee. Rooted in the principles of mid-century modern design, this work captures Gessner’s ability to fuse abstraction with quiet lyricism, creating a timeless expression of Swiss modernist aesthetics.
Dimensions: 24.5 X 36 cm (full sheet)
18.5 X 23 cm (platemark)
(Zurich 1908 – 1982 Locarno
Also known as: Robert Salomon Gessner
Rob S. Gessner was an important figure in Swiss graphic and fine arts during the mid-20th century, deeply influenced by Cubism and the broader currents of European modernism. His work reflects a balance of structure and rhythm, reimagining traditional subjects through abstraction and design.
Born into a distinguished Zurich family, Gessner was a direct descendant of the renowned poet and painter Salomon Gessner (1730–1788). From 1925 to 1927, he trained as a window decorator at the Jelmoli department store before enrolling at Zurich’s School of Applied Arts, where he studied under notable artists Karl Hügin, Otto Meyer-Amden, and Ernst Gubler.
During the 1940s, Gessner gained increasing recognition as an advertising illustrator, while continuing to pursue his personal artistic practice through paintings, engravings, and collages. His work was shaped by the influence of leading modernists such as Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Wassily Kandinsky, and Paul Klee, contributing to a uniquely Swiss vision of modern art.
