I'm pleased to present The Old Locomotive (Windspiel), 1906, a rare early lithograph by Lyonel Feininger (1871–1956). There are only five known proofs of this fine lithograph, including in the collections of The Museum of Modern Art, New York and the Kupferstichkabinett Dresden.

On January 13, 1906, Feininger wrote to his future wife, Julia Berg: “Now I am sitting at home again eagerly anticipating continuing my work on the locomotive, 'Windspiel' [wind chimes] on the stone.” It was Julia who inspired Feininger to experiment with lithography. In 1905, during her studies at the Grand Ducal Saxon Art School, in Weimar, she took a printmaking course. In her frequent letters to Feininger, she shared her enthusiasm for lithography, which proved to be infectious: Feininger soon bought stones and taught himself the technique.

The Old Locomotive is the third stone on which he drew. It depicts a vintage American locomotive, which he had previously drawn in 1902. With its cartoonish look, it is reminiscent of Feininger’s caricatures from this period. It also appears to have its best days behind it, as attested to by its metal patches and sagging form. As this old iron horse chugs along, the train tracks seem to groan under its great weight. Two years after Feininger completed this charming print, he used it as a study for his painting, Locomotive, 1908.

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Achim Moeller