This is among a several drawings I purchased together by Dr. Arthur Tilo Alt (1931-2019)--a scholar and professor of German in Yiddish language and literature in the Judaic studies program at Duke University--which came from his estate in Younsgsville, NC. Born in Java, Indonesia, Alt's family returned to their native Germany in 1933, where Tilo grew up in West Berlin, ultimately moving to the U.S. in 1956 to study at the University of Texas. While I have not done extensive research, all indications are that Alt (Jewish I assume) lived in Berlin during WWII, which is the period during which these drawings would have been made--making these poignant drawings seem all the more so, and also like significant historical documents.
This one I believe, depicting a cobbler at work, is the earliest of the group, with the IA after his signature at upper right I would guess referring to his class/year in school. Like the rest, I find it quite poetic and beautiful, most of all this big pile of black and brown boots and shoes on the floor at right.
11 1/8" x 8 1/4". Pencil and watercolor on natural colored construction paper. Uneveness to the right edge, a little folding at the center of the top edge, and an old fold line at upper left, and a few stains. Blank on reverse.
Arthur Tilo Alt. Education: Doctor of Philosophy, University Texas, 1964; diploma Yiddish Language & Literature, Columbia University, 1974.
Career: Instructor, Duke U., Durham, North Carolina, 1961-1965; assistant professor, Duke U., Durham, 1967-1977; associate professor, Duke U., Durham, 1978-1988; professor German and Judaic studies, Duke U., Durham, since 1989; assistant professor, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, 1965-1967. Visiting assistant professor Columbia University, New York City, summers 1967-1968.
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