"IGNIS" (Fire) by Edir Lela

"IGNIS" (Fire) by Edir Lela

C.1900-1949

Hand-Painted Lithograph

Centering on a stylized mythological motif, this hand-colored reproduction print titled "IGNIS" (Fire) portrays two youthful, wingless figures sitting back-to-back amidst a roaring bed of flames. The blonde figure on the left appears to strike a flint while the brunette figure on the right holds an object aloft, flanking a central hanging chain that suspends a small rectangular plaque bearing the Latin name for fire. Flanked by flowing orange ribbons at the top, the fiery composition is anchored at the base by an architectural altar or pedestal flanked by a horizontal arrow motif. This specific edition is printed on textured paper and features an ambiguous cursive inscription along the bottom right margin that reads as "Edir Lela" or "Edir Ella," though its exact transcription remains unverified.

This composition belongs to a broader European art tradition dating back to the Renaissance and Baroque eras, where natural forces were visually conceptualized through allegorical series known as the "Four Elements" (Earth, Air, Fire, and Water). Prints like this hold considerable decorative importance because they revived historical, old-world imagery for modern collectors. By highlighting playful marine iconography and symmetrical layouts, the print showcases the enduring design legacy of classical grotesques and their role in the historical evolution of mythological illustration.

Dimensions: H 6 ¾” x 6 ¾” W

Condition: In very good condition