"Beethoven" by A. F. Cosyns, Belgian, (1875-after 1950)

Woodcut, ca. 1920's-30's, ed. 100, signed & numbered in pencil, on warm white wove J Perrigo paper, with large margins, some soiling & repaired edge tears. A large diagonal crease to the lower left corner & a horizontal crease at left center edge just touching the subject's hair.  Antoine Francois Cosyns was born in Malines, Belgium, and worked primarily as an illustrator supplying drawings and prints for deluxe editions of books in France during the first half of the 20th century, winning many awards for his fine work. A forceful portrait of the great composer by this lesser known graphic artist.