“Volcanic Wind” (1968) is a powerful signed A.P. color lithograph by Mexican master Leonardo Nierman (1932–2023), 20×26 inches—an explosive, motion-driven abstraction celebrated for its “magical expressionism,” ideal for collectors of Latin American modernism and mid-century prints.
“Volcanic Wind” is a high-energy abstract composition that feels like a natural force captured at its peak—lava arcs, ember streaks, and atmospheric turbulence rendered as luminous ribbons cutting through deep, velvety darkness. Nierman builds propulsion with sweeping curved forms in volcanic reds and oranges, contrasted against saturated greens and shadowed voids, creating the sensation of heat, lift, and blast pressure.
Style & period: The work sits firmly within Nierman’s mature mid-century language of motion-based abstraction—non-narrative yet tethered to the elemental world (eruption, wind currents, light phenomena). The title acts as a key: the image becomes an encounter with volcanic force and air in motion rather than a literal landscape.
Medium & technique: A color lithograph created through layered printing, producing transparent veils of color, glowing transitions, and fine, energetic marks that appear to spark across the surface. The painterly effects and rhythmic linework mirror Nierman’s broader approach to momentum, intensity, and visual “music.”
Signature & edition: The print is hand-signed in pencil at the lower right and marked A.P. (Artist’s Proof) at the lower left. Artist’s proofs are pulled outside the standard numbered edition and are valued for their relative scarcity and close relationship to the artist’s intended tonal balance.
Leonardo Nierman (Leonardo Nierman Mendelejis) was a Mexican painter, sculptor, muralist, and printmaker born November 1, 1932 in Mexico City and deceased June 7, 2023. He is widely recognized for dynamic abstraction often described as “magical expressionism,” a visual language that translates natural energy—wind, fire, cosmic motion—into sweeping gestures and luminous color.
Nierman’s creative sensibility was shaped by a deep relationship to music; he trained as a violinist for many years and frequently spoke of painting in musical terms—rhythm, crescendo, resonance, and silence. He also maintained a strong interest in mathematics and physics, influences that reinforced his fascination with motion, force, and structure.
A key turning point came in the mid-1950s when he began pursuing visual art more fully, developing a distinct approach that blended gestural energy with refined control. Over the decades he exhibited extensively internationally and produced major public commissions, including murals and architectural-scale works, as well as stained glass projects and sculpture installed in prominent civic and cultural spaces. His art has been collected broadly and continues to appeal to collectors drawn to bold color, kinetic composition, and the emotional charge of postwar abstraction.
Leonardo Nierman (Mexican, 1932–2023), “Volcanic Wind,” 1968, color lithograph, A.P., pencil-signed, 20×26 in, unframed; explosive mid-century abstract work associated with Nierman’s “magical expressionism.”
This certifies that the artwork titled “Volcanic Wind” is an original color lithograph by Leonardo Nierman (1932–2023), dated 1968, measuring 20×26 inches, bearing the artist’s handwritten pencil signature and marked A.P. (Artist’s Proof). The medium, edition notation, and signature placement are consistent with authenticated Nierman lithographs. Valuation reflects current demand for signed Nierman A.P. impressions of comparable size and visual strength, taking into account condition and provenance.
Leonardo Nierman studio / publisher release → private/secondary market circulation (NYC, United States & Europe) → Mitch Morse Gallery (acquired via NYC and Europe) → Artfind Gallery, Washington DC (current owner)
VOLCANIC WIND - a captivating lithograph created by the late and renowned Leonardo Nierman, is truly a stunning example of what is known as “magical expressionism.” Signed and numbered as an artist's proof from the year 1968, this exceptional piece vibrates with an intoxicating energy, reflecting the imaginative genius of an artist who perceived the world through the exhilarating lens of both music and vivid abstraction. Nierman’s artistic journey intricately weaves together the fluidity of musical rhythms and natural forms, echoing the graceful movement of water, the elegant flight of birds, and the electrifying crack of lightning that lights up the sky. Swathed in an exquisite palette of pure colors, VOLCANIC WIND invites viewers to experience a rich tapestry of sensations as it beautifully captures the intriguing interplay between chaos and harmony. This lithograph stands as not just a relic of a bygone era, but as a true testament to Nierman's extensive explorations of color and form, ensuring its rightful place as a remarkable treasure in the enchanting realm of fine art.
He has been dubbed the Jackson Pollock of Latin American art, a title that hints at the explosive and profound nature of his works, often classified as “magical expressionism.” Since 1959, the IFA Gallery in Washington, DC has been a longstanding champion of his art, paving the way for his international acclaim. With over 100 exhibitions across continents, his creations have made their mark in museums and public spaces from Australia to the Vatican and the Art Institute of Chicago. His monumental pieces are not just confined to galleries; they grace public buildings and are proudly displayed in major Mexican cities and beyond. Notably, in 1969, he contributed a striking mural to Princeton’s physics department and designed exquisite stained glass windows for Temple Beth Israel in Lomas de Chapultepec, showcasing his versatility and commitment to blending artistic innovation with cultural significance.
“Volcanic Wind” (1968) is a powerful signed A.P. color lithograph by Mexican master Leonardo Nierman (1932–2023), 20×26 inches—an explosive, motion-driven abstraction celebrated for its “magical expressionism,” ideal for collectors of Latin American modernism and mid-century prints.
“Volcanic Wind” is a high-energy abstract composition that feels like a natural force captured at its peak—lava arcs, ember streaks, and atmospheric turbulence rendered as luminous ribbons cutting through deep, velvety darkness. Nierman builds propulsion with sweeping curved forms in volcanic reds and oranges, contrasted against saturated greens and shadowed voids, creating the sensation of heat, lift, and blast pressure.
Style & period: The work sits firmly within Nierman’s mature mid-century language of motion-based abstraction—non-narrative yet tethered to the elemental world (eruption, wind currents, light phenomena). The title acts as a key: the image becomes an encounter with volcanic force and air in motion rather than a literal landscape.
Medium & technique: A color lithograph created through layered printing, producing transparent veils of color, glowing transitions, and fine, energetic marks that appear to spark across the surface. The painterly effects and rhythmic linework mirror Nierman’s broader approach to momentum, intensity, and visual “music.”
Signature & edition: The print is hand-signed in pencil at the lower right and marked A.P. (Artist’s Proof) at the lower left. Artist’s proofs are pulled outside the standard numbered edition and are valued for their relative scarcity and close relationship to the artist’s intended tonal balance.
Leonardo Nierman (Leonardo Nierman Mendelejis) was a Mexican painter, sculptor, muralist, and printmaker born November 1, 1932 in Mexico City and deceased June 7, 2023. He is widely recognized for dynamic abstraction often described as “magical expressionism,” a visual language that translates natural energy—wind, fire, cosmic motion—into sweeping gestures and luminous color.
Nierman’s creative sensibility was shaped by a deep relationship to music; he trained as a violinist for many years and frequently spoke of painting in musical terms—rhythm, crescendo, resonance, and silence. He also maintained a strong interest in mathematics and physics, influences that reinforced his fascination with motion, force, and structure.
A key turning point came in the mid-1950s when he began pursuing visual art more fully, developing a distinct approach that blended gestural energy with refined control. Over the decades he exhibited extensively internationally and produced major public commissions, including murals and architectural-scale works, as well as stained glass projects and sculpture installed in prominent civic and cultural spaces. His art has been collected broadly and continues to appeal to collectors drawn to bold color, kinetic composition, and the emotional charge of postwar abstraction.
Leonardo Nierman (Mexican, 1932–2023), “Volcanic Wind,” 1968, color lithograph, A.P., pencil-signed, 20×26 in, unframed; explosive mid-century abstract work associated with Nierman’s “magical expressionism.”
This certifies that the artwork titled “Volcanic Wind” is an original color lithograph by Leonardo Nierman (1932–2023), dated 1968, measuring 20×26 inches, bearing the artist’s handwritten pencil signature and marked A.P. (Artist’s Proof). The medium, edition notation, and signature placement are consistent with authenticated Nierman lithographs. Valuation reflects current demand for signed Nierman A.P. impressions of comparable size and visual strength, taking into account condition and provenance.
Leonardo Nierman studio / publisher release → private/secondary market circulation (NYC, United States & Europe) → Mitch Morse Gallery (acquired via NYC and Europe) → Artfind Gallery, Washington DC (current owner)
VOLCANIC WIND - a captivating lithograph created by the late and renowned Leonardo Nierman, is truly a stunning example of what is known as “magical expressionism.” Signed and numbered as an artist's proof from the year 1968, this exceptional piece vibrates with an intoxicating energy, reflecting the imaginative genius of an artist who perceived the world through the exhilarating lens of both music and vivid abstraction. Nierman’s artistic journey intricately weaves together the fluidity of musical rhythms and natural forms, echoing the graceful movement of water, the elegant flight of birds, and the electrifying crack of lightning that lights up the sky. Swathed in an exquisite palette of pure colors, VOLCANIC WIND invites viewers to experience a rich tapestry of sensations as it beautifully captures the intriguing interplay between chaos and harmony. This lithograph stands as not just a relic of a bygone era, but as a true testament to Nierman's extensive explorations of color and form, ensuring its rightful place as a remarkable treasure in the enchanting realm of fine art.
He has been dubbed the Jackson Pollock of Latin American art, a title that hints at the explosive and profound nature of his works, often classified as “magical expressionism.” Since 1959, the IFA Gallery in Washington, DC has been a longstanding champion of his art, paving the way for his international acclaim. With over 100 exhibitions across continents, his creations have made their mark in museums and public spaces from Australia to the Vatican and the Art Institute of Chicago. His monumental pieces are not just confined to galleries; they grace public buildings and are proudly displayed in major Mexican cities and beyond. Notably, in 1969, he contributed a striking mural to Princeton’s physics department and designed exquisite stained glass windows for Temple Beth Israel in Lomas de Chapultepec, showcasing his versatility and commitment to blending artistic innovation with cultural significance.
