Honi Soi Etc Appraisal

Honi soi etc. by Sigmund Laufer

This is a monochrome ink drawing or etching on paper by the Jewish-German American artist Sigmund Laufer (1920–2007). The composition is divided into four vertical panels, each containing surrealist and expressionist figures. From left to right: a distorted equine or hybrid figure, a curved humanoid form shown from the side, a fragmented face featuring a large watchful eye and a screaming open mouth, and a female nude torso. The work is executed with bold, calligraphic line work and areas of deep black ink wash for dramatic shadow. In the bottom right corner, the title 'Honi soi etc.' is handwritten alongside the artist’s signature 'Sigmund Laufer.' The title references the Old French phrase 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' (Shame on him who thinks evil of it). Measuring approximately 2105 x 1806 units, the piece exhibits the high-contrast graphic style characteristic of Laufer’s mid-20th-century printmaking and drawing practice, which often explored themes of human suffering and psychological tension. The paper appears to be an off-white or light grey cream tone with slight surface texture; there are minor visible signs of age-related corner softening, but the ink remains saturated and the line integrity is excellent. Laufer's technical skill is evident in the varied weight of the lines and the controlled application of wash, creating a sense of restless energy typical of post-war Expressionism.