“TERRA” (Fire) by Edir Lela

“TERRA” (Fire) by Edir Lela

C.1900-1949

Hand-Painted Lithograph

This hand-colored lithograph, titled TERRA (Earth), is an original print by the twentieth-century artist Edir Lela. Created as part of a thematic series, the work features two mythological satyrs with goat-like hooves dynamically intertwined amidst twisting branches, climbing vines, and clusters of fruit and grapes. Above the figures, a flowing yellow banner frames a central plaque bearing the Latin title of the element. The piece showcases a striking contrast between the stippled, warm-toned figures and a solid black backdrop, all contained within a delicate blue and black border. The print is numbered "1" and hand-signed by the artist in the lower right corner.

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