Artwork
Intermezzo: Battling Centaurs (Opus IV, 4)
Intermezzo: Battling Centaurs (Opus IV, 4) is a print by the Impressionist artist Max Klinger. It dates from 1881 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2014.343
- Credit line
- Bequest of John Bonebrake
About this work
Overview
Created in 1881, Intermezzo: Battling Centaurs is a print by German artist Max Klinger. It forms the fourth work of his Opus IV series and is presently owned by the Cleveland Museum of Art. The image presents a violent encounter between two mythic centaurs, rendered with a stark contrast of light and shadow.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a fallen centaur and his opponent, who looms above wielding a club. The figures are portrayed with muscular detail and expressive faces, emphasizing the physicality and emotional intensity of the struggle. The dark, turbulent backdrop reinforces a mood of conflict and chaos.
Technique & Style
Klinger employed a realistic approach to the human‑equine hybrids, using chiaroscuro to model form and heighten drama. The print’s fine line work and tonal gradations reveal his mastery of graphic media, while the overall aesthetic reflects the Symbolist interest in mythic subjects and the decorative sensibilities of Jugendstil.
History & Provenance
Max Klinger, active at the turn of the 20th century, worked across painting, sculpture, and printmaking, often exploring the relationship between graphic and pictorial arts. Intermezzo: Battling Centaurs entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition, joining a broader representation of his print output.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Max Klinger (18 February 1857 – 5 July 1920) was a German artist who produced significant work in painting, sculpture, prints and graphics, as well as writing a treatise articulating his ideas on art and the role of…
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