Engelhard takes a break from his charming Art Deco imagery to create a compelling and dynamic design: the unsettling perspective, the dash lines of movement, and the gray abstracted plane beneath a bold red model form a gripping scene. The event depicted is an aerobatic show performed by Ernst Udet and Robert Ritter von Greim, both German aviation pilots in World War I who became national heroes for their triumphant military work. After the war, they continued practicing their passions by putting on top-of-the-line air shows with dangerous maneuvers and awe-inspiring feats. In World War II, both men were recruited for the Luftwaffe; Udet played a key role in reorganizing the German Air Force and organizing the Battle of Britain. Sadly, both men also died from suicide. Rare!
Oscar Consée, München
literature: PAI-LXXXIII, 84