Peer Gynt (The Buck Ride / Buck Gynt on the Ridge)
Print - Color Lithograph or Screenprint on heavy wove paper • Attributed to or associated with a cycle by Per Olav (or Peter) Dahl / Peter Simonischek. Given the 'Peer Gynt' owner reference, it is likely part of an illustrated suite by a Nordic or Germanic expressionist like Peter Dahl or similar.
Style & Movement
Neo-Expressionism / Modernism. Characterized by vibrant, non-naturalistic color palettes and aggressive, gestural forms consistent with late 20th-century European printmaking.
Medium & Technique
Multi-color print using flat ink layers with splattered textural effects and expressive, hand-drawn linear elements. Characteristics suggest a lithographic process common in German or Nordic neo-expressionist book projects.
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (circa 1970-1990)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 50 x 70 cm (Standard portfolio size); Portrait orientation.
Subject Description
A visual representation of Henrik Ibsen's 'Peer Gynt'. Specifically, the 'Buck Ride' scene where Peer fantastically describes riding a reindeer across a narrow ridge (Gjendin). The central figure is a distorted reindeer-like form in fiery oranges and yellows, set against a rhythmic background of horizontal bands suggesting the steep mountain scenery and the night sky.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. Vibrant color saturation with minor handling wear to the edges of the sheet.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $800 USD (as a single print from a suite)
Auction Estimate
$300 - $600 USD
Provenance History
Likely sourced from a limited edition portfolio associated with a theatrical program or a deluxe bibliophile edition of 'Peer Gynt'. Owner-provided excerpts and diagrams suggest it was part of a bound or boxed set.
Art Historical Significance
Illustrates the enduring influence of Ibsen's play on visual arts. As a late 20th-century interpretation, it moves away from traditional 19th-century realism toward a psychological and visceral abstraction of Norwegian folklore and existential struggle.
Notable Features
Bold use of primary contrast (Yellow/Blue); 'splatter' technique adds a sense of wind and chaotic movement; specific iconography tied to the 'Peer Gynt' narrative which increases value to collectors of theatrical and literary art.
Condition Issues
Visible softening of corners; possible minor buckling from previous storage in a portfolio; light surface marks consistent with unmounted prints.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional mounting using acid-free materials; framing under UV-protective glass to prevent the bright yellows and oranges from fading; storage in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.
Collector Notes
With additional page excerpts and diagram from peer gynt