GEORG MAYER-MARTON (1897-1960) DANTONS TOD. 1929. 47x36 inches, 119 1/2x91 1/2 cm. Condition A-: foxing in text; vertical and horizontal folds. Framed. Mayer-Marton was born in Hungary and studied art in Vienna and Munich. He lived in Vienna from 1919, working as a painter and an etcher, joining the Hagenbund in 1924 (see Swann Modernist Poster Auction, lot #124). He remained a member until 1938 when he emigrated to England, where he lived, taught and painted until his death in Liverpool in 1960. This poster is for a theatrical production of Georg Buchner's Danton's Death. The play was directed by Max Reinhardt, who was the most famous theatrical director of his time. He also had an exceptional sense of advertising, paying special attention to the posters he commissioned and personally overseeing all the details of his advertising. This production, which took place during Vienna's Festival Week, was held in the Arkadenhof (large central courtyard) of Vienna's town hall. Mayer-Marton provides an architectural representation of the massive arches surrounding the courtyard, theatrically playing with light, shadows and perspective in an atmospheric way that emphasizes the venue more than the production. Denscher p. 117.
