Central Crucifixion with Blind Overdrawing, Arnulf Rainer
Arnulf Rainer
Central Crucifixion with Blind Overdrawing
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Arnulf Rainer

Central Crucifixion with Blind Overdrawing, 1951 – 1952


Blatt
565 x 755 mm
Physical Description
Graphite, coloured pencil, oil crayon on offset paper
Inventory Number
17092
Object Number
17092 Z
Acquisition
Acquired 2011 with funds from the Städelkomitee 21. Jahrhundert and with support of Andreas Dombret, property of Städelscher Museums-Verein e.V.
Status
Can be presented in the study room of the Graphische Sammlung (special opening hours)

Texts

About the Work

In 1951, using first graphite, then coloured pencil, Arnulf Rainer drew several horizontally and vertically oriented lines in the middle of this sheet of paper. By means of repeated overdrawing, they became particularly concentrated at the centre. The following year he reworked the cluster, supplementing it with further deep black lines and curves, which he now, however, drew with his eyes shut. The artist had carried out his first blind drawings in 1951. He had been in search of something completely new, which – inspired by the Surrealists’ “psychic automatism” – he hoped to find in a manner of working guided solely by spontaneous inner instinct, free of the influence of outward impulses.

Work Data

Basic Information

Title
Central Crucifixion with Blind Overdrawing
Draughtsman
Period Produced
Object Type
Physical Description
Graphite, coloured pencil, oil crayon on offset paper
Material
Technique
Geographic Reference
Production Reason
Label at the Time of Manufacture
Datiert und bezeichnet unten links (mit Bleistift): (zentrale) Kruzifikation 1951 [1952 blind überzeichnet]
Mittig rechts (mit Grafitstift): TRR 51 / X/10
Captions Added Later
Verso links oben Etikett: 145
Bezeichnet rechts oben (mit Bleistift): V9
Bezeichnet unten rechts: 4 [eingekreist und durchgestrichen], 34 [eingekreist]
Watermark
  • Nicht vorhanden

Property and Acquisition

Institution
Departement
Collection
Creditline
Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Eigentum des Städelschen Museums-Vereins e.V.
Picture Copyright
© Arnulf Rainer
Acquisition
Acquired 2011 with funds from the Städelkomitee 21. Jahrhundert and with support of Andreas Dombret, property of Städelscher Museums-Verein e.V.

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre
Main Motif

Iconclass

Primary
  • 0 Abstract, Non-representational Art
  • 49D32 line (~ planimetry, geometry)
  • 49D3211 intersecting lines
  • 22C4(BLACK) colours, pigments, and paints: black
Associative
  • 11D121 cross as symbol of Christ

Research and Discussion

Provenance

Object History
Vom Künstler erworben mit Mitteln des Städelkomitees 21. Jahrhundert mit Unterstützung von Andreas Dombret durch den Städelschen Museum-Vereins e.V., Frankfurt am Main, 2011.

Information

Since 2001, the Städel Museum has systematically been researching the provenance of all objects that were acquired during the National Socialist period, or that changed owners or could have changed owners during those years. The basis for this research is the “Washington Declaration”, also known as the “Washington Conference Principles”, formulated at the 1998 “Conference on Holocaust-Era Assets” and the subsequent “Joint Declaration”.

The provenance information is based on the sources researched at the time they were published digitally. However, this information can change at any time when new sources are discovered. Provenance research is therefore a continuous process and one that is updated at regular intervals.

Ideally, the provenance information documents an object’s origins from the time it was created until the date when it found its way into the collection. It contains the following details, provided they are known:

  • the type of acquisition and/or the way the object changed hands
  • the owner's name and place of residence
  • the date on which it changed hands

The successive ownership records are separated from each other by a semicolon.

Gaps in the record of a provenance are indicated by the placeholder “…”. Unsupported information is listed in square brackets.

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Last update

24.11.2023