Francis Preaches to the Animals (Saint Francis of Assisi) Lithograph by Walter Teutsch (German/Romanian, 1883–1964) c.1924

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Title: Francis Preaches to the Animals (Saint Francis of Assisi)
Artist: Walther Teutsch (German/Romanian, 1883–1964)
Period/Date: c. 1924
Medium: Original … Read more Title: Francis Preaches to the Animals (Saint Francis of Assisi)
Artist: Walther Teutsch (German/Romanian, 1883–1964)
Period/Date: c. 1924
Medium: Original Antique Lithograph

Add a rare piece of early 20th-century European modernism to your collection. This striking c.1924 lithograph by listed German Expressionist artist Walther Teutsch depicts the beloved Saint Francis of Assisi preaching to his animal companions.

Teutsch was an active figure in the Munich New Secession art movement, and his works are currently held in prestigious permanent collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This mesmerizing composition captures the famous sermon of Saint Francis of Assisi to the birds and beasts. Rather than a generic crowd of animals, Teutsch explicitly incorporates a symbolic, diverse menagerie that bridges the domestic and the exotic.

Look closely to spot a wonderfully expressive ox, nimble squirrels, a gentle rabbit, and beautifully stylized exotic birds—including distinct parrots perched nearby.

In Franciscan tradition, the presence of these animals is deeply theological:

The Ox and Domestic Beasts: Represent the laborious, humble creatures of the earth, universally tied to themes of peace and the Nativity.

The Rabbit and Squirrels: Traditional symbols of innocence, alertness, and the vibrant, quiet life of the forest.

The Parrots and Birds: Represent the air and heavenly praise. St. Francis famously commanded the birds to praise their Creator, and the inclusion of exotic parrots underscores the universal scope of his message—reaching all corners of the creation.

This piece perfectly bridges the worlds of fine avant-garde printmaking and classic religious iconography, making it an incredible focal piece for collectors of Catholic art, expressionism, or antique print history.

Created in Germany circa 1924, this print reflects a profound cultural moment. Following the trauma and destruction of World War I, many avant-garde artists of the Munich New Secession turned away from industrial, mechanized subjects. Instead, they sought solace in spiritual, pastoral, and ecological themes.

Teutsch uses bold, expressionistic line work to portray St. Francis not as a rigid, distant saint, but as a figure deeply embedded in the natural world. This lithograph is a stellar example of the 1920s European "Return to Order"—a movement combining modernist, slightly stylized forms with classical, comforting, and deeply spiritual subjects.

Image/Print Size: 15" W x 10" H
Total Paper Size: 21.5" W x 16.5" H (Generous margins, beautiful for framing)

Good antique condition. The piece displays a genuine vintage character, including minor paper discoloration/mat-burn from historic framing techniques along the outer margins and minor handling. The central image remains strong and clear. Ready and highly suitable for modern archival framing.

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