The artist and illustrator Berthold Richter (b. 1881) created these amusing watercolors in 1923. Amidst the recognisable background scenery of Vienna, Austria, Richter depicts various adventures with a humorous automotive theme, all involving ladies and their lovers (or admirers). The watercolors are finely detailed and extremely accomplished in their execution. The automobiles, for example, are all recognisable German and Austrian marques, and include Steyr, Wanderer, Mercedes, and Audi. Little is known of Richter, although we are aware of several poster designs by him, also created in the 1920s. It is believed that this "Auto Spass" series may have been illustrated in the leading German automobile magazine MOTOR. Mounted, framed, and glazed.

Provenance: Originally purchased from a private museum of 20th century illustrations in Vienna, Austria in 1980, the series resided in a private American collection until being acquired by the consignor.

Artwork size: each 12 x 19 in. (31 x 48.5 cm). Overall size: each 19.5 x 26.5 in. (49.5 x 67 cm).