Hubert Haisch "Commissioner – Retired" Etching

Updated August 7, 2026

Artist: Hubert Haisch (Canadian, 1923–1985) Title: Commissioner – Retired Date: 1963 Medium: Original Etching on paper Edition: 15/30 Signature: Signed in pencil lower right, dated 1963; titled lower left; editioned lower centre. Sight Size: 12.5 x 9.5 in. Frame Size: 18.5 x 15 in. A compelling original etching by Canadian printmaker Hubert Haisch, Commissioner – Retired presents a powerful abstracted portrait that blends figurative imagery with expressive textural mark-making. Printed in a small edition of only 30 impressions, this example is numbered 15/30, signed and dated by the artist. Executed in Haisch's characteristic post-war modernist style, the composition combines deeply bitten lines, rich tonal passages, and layered textures to construct a psychologically charged portrait. The subject's weathered, mask-like face emerges from an intricate network of etched forms, suggesting the dignity and complexity of a lifetime of experience. The restrained monochromatic palette enhances the dramatic interplay of light and shadow, emphasizing the work's sculptural quality. Hubert Haisch's prints are represented in numerous Canadian public and institutional collections and remain highly regarded for their technical mastery and expressive originality. Early signed editions from the 1960s are increasingly sought after by collectors of Canadian modernist printmaking. Artist Biography: Hubert Haisch (1923–1985) was a Canadian painter, printmaker, and educator recognized as one of Canada's important twentieth-century graphic artists. Born in Austria, Haisch immigrated to Canada following the Second World War and became an influential figure in the development of contemporary Canadian printmaking. Working primarily in etching, aquatint, and mixed intaglio techniques, Haisch developed a distinctive visual language characterized by expressive figures, textured surfaces, and emotionally resonant compositions. His work often explored the human condition through symbolic and abstracted imagery while demonstrating exceptional technical skill. Throughout his career, Haisch exhibited extensively across Canada and internationally. His works are represented in major public collections, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, and numerous university and corporate collections. Today, his signed limited-edition prints continue to attract collectors of Canadian modern art and post-war printmaking.

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