real life objects: photography, digital image processing, fine art print, and transfer drawing. There are hardly any other processes that match the finished artworks’ complexity and many layers so well.

The basis of René Blättermann’s graphic work are always photographs of archaeological finds and historical objects, shot on-site or in his studio.

With the use of intricate digital editing and the inclusion of other photographs, his own painting and typographic elements, the composition around the motif comes together as a whole. The designs are then printed directly on Fine Art paper, or printed indirectly using transfer techniques.

Fine Art Prints, or Giclée, which use special Ultra Chrome ink on 100% cotton Fine Art paper, are durable and of the highest quality.

Transfer Drawing is a technique in which solvents are used to transfer the prints onto special, highly durable cotton board. This intermediate step results in a desired and controlled modification effect.

Depending on the motif and artistic intention, many of the graphics then receive a thin gilding using 23-karat gold leaf.

The composition, colors and lines are capricious, complex, branching, over-lapping, bright, dark, or shiny and radiating; they are delicate, yet at the same time powerful and eruptive, like the story of the Jewish people itself.

René Blättermann 2011 / 5772 ✡

Hebrews

More than 3000 years ago Hebrews as a cultural and political unity were first mentioned in writing. “And the Lord      shall scatter you among the nations...” (Deuteronomy 4:27): this prophecy come true is the origin of the world wide Jewish Diaspora, from the Middle East, from Egypt and Africa through Europe, America and India, even to China.

The exceptional history of this people, beginning in biblical times and spanning the Hellenistic - Roman period, the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Enlightenment and Jewish emancipation into the 20th century, as well as its current day existence despite episodes of persecution, are an extraordinary phenomenon.

The idea behind the HEBREW CYCLE was to research and present preserved Jewish traditions from biblical times, and especially from the lesser known post-biblical past. The pictures that are shown here are thus trying to provide insight into moments from the past and reflections on the present.

Motifs from various countries and eras tell of the rich cultural life of the people of Israel in the diaspora, and of the nations among which Jews lived and still live. A requirement for the implementation of this concept is that the objects that are depicted actually exist.

Technique and materials

As cultural achievements with a history of several thousand years of use, pigmented ink, cotton and paper are the predominantly used materials in René Blättermann’s work.

Several means are particularly suitable for the visual representation of the chosen