Drawn from the collection of the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts, Waking Dreams highlights the dream-like etchings of Max Klinger (1857–1920), the German Symbolist artist best known for his enigmatic portfolio Paraphrases About the Finding of a Glove (1881). In addition to his activities as a painter and sculptor, Klinger was one of the most imaginative graphic artists of the late 19th century. He was a technical virtuoso who had the ability to literally transcribe his innermost visions, the daydreams, fantasies and nightmares of his highly creative and profoundly romantic soul. Waking Dreams presents Klinger’s graphic oeuvre alongside visionary etchings, lithographs and woodcuts by his precursors and contemporaries. Included are macabre and fantastic prints by French artists Charles Méryon, Rodolphe Bresdin, and Odilon Redon; the Belgians Félicien Rops and James Ensor; and the Norwegian Edvard Munch.

(Image: Max Klinger (1857–1920) Abduction [Entführung], plate 9 from the portfolio A Glove [ein Handschuh], 1881; Courtesy Max Klinger)