Herbert Esche in the Library

The textile industrialist Herbert Eugen Esche (1874-1962) came into contact with Munch in 1905 at the suggestion of Henry van de Velde, who had built his important villa in Chemnitz for him in 1902-1904, through the Lübeck doctor Max Linde. Munch arrived in Chemnitz in October. After three weeks had already passed, which he spent in inns without having reached for his brush, the worried family called Henry van de Velde for help. Within a few days, Munch created three more paintings in addition to the five listed here, a portrait of Mrs. Hanni Esche, Erdmute with doll and Hans-Herbert with nanny (Ingrid Mössinger/Beate Ritter/Kerstin Drechsel (eds.): Edvard Munch in Chemnitz (Cologne 1999; = exh. cat. Chemnitz), colour ills. 26, 29, 27)