Two Figures, Ernst Wilhelm Nay
Ernst Wilhelm Nay
Two Figures
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Related external works

Part of the same work group

Ernst Wilhem Nay: Zwei Figuren, 1948, Bleistift auf Papier, 260 x 285 mm. Privatbesitz

Ernst Wilhem Nay: Zwei Figuren, 1948, Bleistift auf Papier, 260 x 289 mm. Privatbesitz

Ernst Wilhem Nay: Zwei Figuren, 1948, Bleistift auf Papier, 257 x 286 mm. Privatbesitz

Ernst Wilhem Nay: Zwei Figuren (vier Zeichnungern) 1948, Bleistift und Pinsel auf Papier, 509 x 572 mm. Privatbesitz

Ernst Wilhem Nay: Zwei Figuren, 1948, Bleistift auf Papier, 250 x 286 mm. Privatbesitz

Ernst Wilhelm Nay

Two Figures, 1948


Blatt
225 x 287 mm
Physical Description
Gouache over pencil, framing line in graphite, on rough wove paper
Inventory Number
SG 2950
Object Number
SG 2950 Z
Acquisition
Acquired in 1950 from the artist
Status
Can be presented in the study room of the Graphische Sammlung (special opening hours)

Texts

About the Work

Ernst Wilhelm Nay’s so-called "Hekate Period" began immediately after the war and continued until 1948, the year in which he executed the coloured gouache Two Figures. In the upper left-hand corner, we clearly discern an angular head seen in profile. The body attached to it consists of triangles, large ovals and small dots lined up to form a chain. The second figure is likewise assembled from two-dimensional geometric forms, but its shape is, for the most part, difficult to make out. This drawing is thus a telling example of Nay’s increasing tendency to allow the figures in his compositions to dissolve into abstract systems of flat zones.

Work Data

Basic Information

Title
Two Figures
Draughtsman
Period Produced
Object Type
Physical Description
Gouache over pencil, framing line in graphite, on rough wove paper
Material
Technique
Geographic Reference
Production Reason
Label at the Time of Manufacture
Signiert und datiert unten rechts (mit der Feder in blauer Tinte über Bleistift): NAy 48
Captions Added Later
Verso unten links Stempel der Städtischen Galerie, Frankfurt am Main (Lugt 2371c)
Watermark
  • Nicht vorhanden
Work Catalogues
  • Claesges 2012.I.487.48-277

Property and Acquisition

Institution
Departement
Collection
Creditline
Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main
Picture Copyright
© Elisabeth Nay-Scheibler, Köln / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2024
Acquisition
Acquired in 1950 from the artist

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre

Iconclass

Primary
  • 0 Abstract, Non-representational Art

Research and Discussion

Provenance

Object History
Ernst Wilhelm Nay (1902-1968)
erworben von der Städtischen Galerie, Frankfurt am Main, 1950.

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.

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  • 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

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Last update

23.04.2024