Fine Art Poster
From £28
A giclée print on 200gsm matte fine art paper, using a twelve-colour process for accurate, fade-resistant colour. Supplied unframed, delivered flat or rolled.
Toekan - Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita
Regular price
£28.00 GBP
Sale price
£28.00 GBP
Regular price
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
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Made to order
Description
A striking woodcut print of a toucan by Dutch artist Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita, featuring bold silhouettes and a geometric background.
Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita was a Dutch graphic artist known for his mastery of the woodcut medium. His work often focused on animal subjects, rendered with a distinct sense of graphic economy and rhythmic pattern. This print, titled Toekan, displays his characteristic approach to form and texture. The bird is depicted in profile, its silhouette defined by bold, solid black areas that contrast with the lighter, negative space of the beak and chest.
De Mesquita utilised a highly structured background, consisting of a repetitive, geometric grid pattern. This choice flattens the pictorial space, drawing attention to the decorative qualities of the composition rather than attempting to replicate a naturalistic environment. The tree trunk behind the bird is treated with parallel vertical lines, providing a subtle variation in texture that balances the dense, cross-hatched background.
His technique relies on the physical resistance of the wood block, resulting in clean, sharp edges that define the bird's posture. The beak, with its serrated lower edge, shows the artist's attention to the specific physical traits of the toucan, while the overall treatment remains stylised. De Mesquita was a teacher at the School of Applied Arts in Haarlem, and his influence extended to many younger artists, including M.C. Escher. This print demonstrates the clarity and precision that defined his output during the early 20th century. It is a study in balance, where the heavy mass of the bird is offset by the lighter, airy quality of the patterned background. The work avoids unnecessary detail, focusing instead on the essential geometry of the subject.
Return policy
Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
Shipping
We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Complete The Look
Toekan - Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita
Regular price
From £28.00 GBP
Sale price
From £28.00 GBP
Regular price
Fine Art Poster / A4 (21x29.7 cm) / -
Artist Biography
Samuel Jessurun De Mesquita
After the Nazis deported De Mesquita and his family in February 1944, M.C. Escher went to his teacher's ransacked house and rescued as much of his work as he could. Some of the prints Escher saved still bear the muddy boot prints of German soldiers. De Mesquita, his wife Elisabeth and their son Jaap all died in the camps.
He was born in Amsterdam in 1868, of Portuguese Sephardic Jewish origin. He trained there and was appointed teacher at the School of Architecture and Decorative Arts in Haarlem in 1902, where he remained until 1926. Escher was his most famous student; it was De Mesquita who convinced the young Escher to abandon architecture for graphic arts, a decision that changed twentieth-century visual culture.
De Mesquita produced over four hundred prints, including woodcuts, wood engravings, etchings and lithographs, plus drawings and textile designs. His animal and bird woodcuts, with their stark black-and-white stylisation influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e, are among his most distinctive work. He was not religiously observant despite his Sephardic community background. His wife Elisabeth was gassed alongside him at Auschwitz; their son Jaap perished at Theresienstadt a month later. He died at Auschwitz, around 11 February 1944, at seventy-five.
He was born in Amsterdam in 1868, of Portuguese Sephardic Jewish origin. He trained there and was appointed teacher at the School of Architecture and Decorative Arts in Haarlem in 1902, where he remained until 1926. Escher was his most famous student; it was De Mesquita who convinced the young Escher to abandon architecture for graphic arts, a decision that changed twentieth-century visual culture.
De Mesquita produced over four hundred prints, including woodcuts, wood engravings, etchings and lithographs, plus drawings and textile designs. His animal and bird woodcuts, with their stark black-and-white stylisation influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e, are among his most distinctive work. He was not religiously observant despite his Sephardic community background. His wife Elisabeth was gassed alongside him at Auschwitz; their son Jaap perished at Theresienstadt a month later. He died at Auschwitz, around 11 February 1944, at seventy-five.
Made to order
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Every piece is printed to order. These are the five finishes, and what makes each one different.
Fine Art Framed
From £45
The same fine art print in a solid wood frame with UV-protective acrylic glaze and rigid backing. Five frame colours. Arrives ready to hang.
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