Michel Fingesten Paintings

Michel Fingesten, born Michel Finkelstein in 1884 in Buczkowitz, Silesia (then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, now in the Czech Republic), was a prolific and innovative printmaker, painter, and bookplate artist, best known for his ex libris and small graphic works. Raised in a Jewish family, Fingesten's artistic journey began early, but it was fraught with the challenges of his era, including war, migration, and persecution.

Fingesten studied art in Vienna and Munich, places that were vibrant centers of art and culture at the turn of the century. His style was eclectic, drawing from Art Nouveau, Expressionism, and Surrealism, with a distinctive flair that made his work highly sought after for bookplates, a popular art form of the time. Fingesten's ex libris designs often featured whimsical, erotic, and fantastical elements, showcasing his imaginative prowess and technical skill.

His career took him across Europe; he lived and worked in Berlin, Munich, Milan, and Paris, among other cities. In Berlin, during the 1920s, Fingesten became part of the city's thriving art scene. However, the rise of Nazism in Germany forced him to flee to Italy in 1936, where he continued his work until the late 1930s when Mussolini's racial laws against Jews began to affect his life and career.

The outbreak of World War II and the implementation of anti-Jewish laws across Europe made Fingesten's situation increasingly precarious. Despite attempts to escape the Fascist regime, he was eventually arrested and interned in an Italian concentration camp in Ferramonti di Tarsia, Calabria, where he continued to create art under adverse conditions.

Michel Fingesten died in 1943, leaving behind a vast and diverse body of work that includes over a thousand ex libris, as well as paintings, drawings, and sculptures. His legacy is that of an artist who used his creativity to transcend the tumultuous times he lived in, leaving an indelible mark on the art world, particularly in the realm of bookplate design. Today, Fingesten is celebrated for his unique artistic voice and is considered one of the most important ex libris artists of the 20th century.