The Red Aeroplane, Franz Radziwill
Franz Radziwill
The Red Aeroplane
DE
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Franz Radziwill

The Red Aeroplane, 1932


Dimensions
63.0 x 89.0 cm
Physical Description
Oil on panel
Inventory Number
2473
Acquisition
Acquired 2016 with means from the bequest of Werner Wirthle on occasion of the departure of Max Hollein (Director of the Städel Museum, 2006-2016)
Status
On display, 1st upper level, Modern Art, room 14

Texts

About the Work

'The Red Aeroplane' is a powerful reflection of Radziwill's fascination for subjects related to modern technology and mechanisation. Aircraft form an established part of his artistic repertoire. This depiction is characterised by the monumental way in which the machine is presented and by the remarkably precise reproduction. The painting, created as an homage to man's dream of flying, was later painted over by the artist and adorned with Surrealist-looking pictorial elements - including the dramatically ghostly sky and the Grim Reaper, who recalls the tradition of the memento mori. This main work, created in 1932, remained in the possession of the artist until into the 1960s. It was on view in numerous important exhibitions, including the one held at the Kestner-Gesellschaft in Hannover in 1933 and at the Kölner Kunstverein in 1937.

Audio

  • Basic information
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Work Data

Basic Information

Title
The Red Aeroplane
Painter
Period Produced
Object Type
Physical Description
Oil on panel
Material
Technique
Label at the Time of Manufacture
Signiert und datiert unten rechts: Franz Radziwill 1932

Property and Acquisition

Institution
Departement
Collection
Creditline
Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main
Picture Copyright
© VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2023
Acquisition
Acquired 2016 with means from the bequest of Werner Wirthle on occasion of the departure of Max Hollein (Director of the Städel Museum, 2006-2016)

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre
Main Motif
Associated Persons and Institutions

Iconclass

Primary
Secondary
  • 41A1 civic architecture; edifices; dwellings
  • 26A clouds
Associative
  • 31F2(+4) personifications of Death; 'Morte' (Ripa) (+ Death with scythe)

Research and Discussion

Conservation and Restoration

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Last update

11.09.2023