Erik Nitsche (Swiss, 1908 - 1998) "United Nations Around the World" Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Signed lower right.
Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.N. 22c 40th Anniversary of the United Nations stamp issued June 26, 1985.
Nitsche was a pioneer in the design of books, annual reports, and other printed material that relied on meticulous attention to the details of page composition, the elegance of simple type presentation, and the juxtaposition of elements on a page. His hallmarks were impeccably clear design, brilliant colors, smart typography, and an adherence to particular geometric foundations. Nitsche studied at the College Classique of Lausanne and the Kunstgewerbeschule in Munich. Prior to immigrating to the United States, he was a designer for Simplicissimus, Jugend, and Der Querschnitt, creating covers and illustrations. He moved to the United States in 1934, where he worked in Hollywood before moving to New York in 1936. In New York, he worked for major magazines including Life, Vanity Fair, and Harper?s Bazaar as well as advertising and promotional campaigns for Twentieth Century Fox and Universal. In 1955, Nitsche began working with engineering company General Dynamics as art director, which he held until 1960. He designed a breakthrough series of posters, in addition to designing their corporate image, annual reports, and advertising through the development of information design systems. Nitsche designed a 420-page book on the company's history entitled Dynamic America, prompting him to begin designing his own books. Nitsche was also a consultant to the Museum of Modern Art's department of design and to Standard Oil of New Jersey in the 1950s and 60s. Established in the wake of World War II, the United Nations has strived to achieve a lasting peace among all nations of the world. But in addition to promoting peaceful and friendly relations among countries, the United Nations is also dedicated to the betterment of all mankind. Indeed, a major goal of the United Nations is to help solve social and cultural problems for all people and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The United Nations accomplishes these goals through a wide variety of programs designed to suit the needs of underdeveloped countries and needy peoples. Scientists, researchers, medical personnel and social workers are all supported by the United Nations in their efforts to solve problems faced by needy peoples and underdeveloped nations. Economic and trade assistance is also provided by the UN. To assist underdeveloped countries obtain needed funds to improve their way of life, the International Bank was established to grant loans and other financial assistance. In addition, the United Nations helps countries develop trading systems by providing lower tariff rates for some exports and sharing technology with poorer countries. Through these and other programs, the United Nations continues to improve the way of life for the world's people.
Image Size: 14 x 12 in.
Overall Size: 20 x 15 in.
Unframed.
(B09623)