Ohne Titel, 1966

Dimensions: 146.0 x 114.0 cm

Physical Description: Oil on canvas

Inventory Number: 2342

Acquisition: Acquired in 2011 with funds from the Städelkomitee 21. Jahrhundert, property of Städelscher Museums-Verein e.V.

Status: On display, lower level, Contemporary Art, room 16

Texts

About the Work

A frail man stands behind a balustrade in an empty space. His hands and the lower half of his body are concealed, his proportions distorted. The gaze of his left eye is strangely warped, while his right eye is being brutally pressed shut by a woman’s hand which appears from nowhere. The painting process remains evident, and the struggle for form made legible in the dynamic brushwork. Marwan distanced himself from the Informel tradition of his teacher, Hann Trier, and he would continue to paint surrogate figures which rendered his own inner moods and emotions visible on canvas.

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: Ohne Titel (Original Title)

Title Translation: Untitled

Painter

Marwan (Marwan Kassab-Bachi)

Period Produced

20th century

School

figurative painting

Object Type

painting (artwork)

Physical Description: Oil on canvas

Material

canvas

Technique

Label at the Time of Manufacture: Signiert und datiert unten rechts: MARWAN 3/66

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Administration

Contemporary Art 1945-present

Collection

Städelsches Kunstinstitut

Creditline: Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Eigentum des Städelschen Museums-Vereins e.V.

Picture Copyright: © Estate Marwan (Marwan Kassab-Bachi)

Acquisition: Acquired in 2011 with funds from the Städelkomitee 21. Jahrhundert, property of Städelscher Museums-Verein e.V.

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre

portrait

Main Motif

Iconclass

Primary

61B111(+53) anonymous historical person portrayed alone (+ half-length portrait)
31D14(+1) adult man (+ front view)
31A231 standing figure
31A2245 hand
31A2534 hand(s) towards the eye(s)