This piece is an original early 20th-century Art Nouveau monochrome postcard featuring the famous illustration titled "Friedhof" (Cemetery) by the renowned Art Nouveau/Jugendstil artist Ephraim Moses (E. M.) Lilien (1874–1925).
The artwork was originally created to illustrate Morris Rosenfeld’s seminal book of Yiddish poetry, Lieder des Ghetto (Songs of the Ghetto), translated into German by Berthold Feiwel and published in 1902. Published as an art postcard by Verlag Benjamin Harz, Berlin (marked "Verlag B. Harz, Berlin N. 113" on the reverse side), it depicts a stylized Jewish cemetery surrounded by weeping willows and thorn bushes.
Notable Details & Inscriptions:
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Artist Signature on Artwork: Following Lilien’s iconic practice of embedding micro-inscriptions within his art, the artist’s full name—E. M. LILIEN—is integrated directly onto the face of the leftmost tombstone (located near the bottom base of the left grave marker). Additionally, his monogram appears in a small rectangle in the lower-right corner of the artwork frame.
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Front Inscriptions: Printed along the bottom margin is E. M. LILIEN. on the left and FRIEDHOF. on the right.
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Tombstone Motifs: Features traditional Jewish sepulchral iconography:
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Left Tombstone: Hands raised in the Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) set inside a archway.
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Center Tombstone: Five-branched Menorah motif over Hebrew lettering reading Pey-Nun (פ"נ - "Here lies") and TNCBH (ת.נ.צ.ב.ה.).
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Right Tombstone: Large Star of David (Magen David) enclosing a menorah/lamp design above Hebrew text.
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Reverse Inscriptions:
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Bottom left corner: Aus Rosenfeld „Lieder des Ghetto“. Illustriert von E. M. Lilien
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Vertical center divider: Verlag B. Harz, Berlin N. 113
Material: Heavy weight unposted cardstock / paper ephemera.
Age / Era: Early 20th Century (Circa 1902–1910; Undivided/Divided transitional Art Nouveau period).
Dimensions: Standard vintage postcard (~3.5" x 5.5").
Condition Report
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Overall Grade: Good / Very Good Vintage Condition (Unposted).
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Front: Clear, crisp black ink impression on naturally aged cream/tan cardstock. Light edge wear and faint corner rubbing. There is a visible diagonal surface crease running through the left tree trunk and down across the top left tombstone.
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Back: Unused/unposted card back. Exhibits age-appropriate toning, light foxing spot near the upper left, and a visible diagonal surface crease line across the top-center division line corresponding to the front surface impression (does not compromise structural integrity).
Authenticity Assessment
This item is confirmed as an authentic early 20th-century original art postcard, not a modern reproduction. Primary authenticity markers include:
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Typography & Publisher Lines: Authentic early typography matching publisher Verlag B. Harz, Berlin N. 113, utilizing standard German quote marks („Lieder des Ghetto“).
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Embedded Micro-Inscriptions: Correct incorporation of Lilien’s signature on the lower rim of the leftmost tombstone and lower-right panel, rendered in crisp line work without dot-matrix pixelation common in modern digital reprints.
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Paper Stock & Aging: Natural oxidation and continuous toning of the unbleached cardstock, presenting genuine surface age, faint foxing spots, and period-correct divided back line weight.
Reference
Book Title: E. M. Lilien: Art Nouveau and Jewish Renaissance
Author: Haim Finkelstein
Page / Catalog Reference: Reference to the complete graphic works and book illustrations for Morris Rosenfeld's Lieder des Ghetto (Berlin: Marquardt / Benjamin Harz, 1902), featuring the artwork Friedhof (Cemetery), Catalog Illustration Plate Friedhof.
(Alternative Reference: Center for Jewish Art, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Object ID: 42415)
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