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Artwork

Night, from On Death, Part I, Opus XI (Nacht, Vom Tode, Erster Teil, Opus XI)

Max Klinger , 1889

Night, from On Death, Part I, Opus XI (Nacht, Vom Tode, Erster Teil, Opus XI), by Max Klinger, 1889
Night, from On Death, Part I, Opus XI (Nacht, Vom Tode, Erster Teil, Opus XI), by Max Klinger, 1889

Night, from On Death, Part I, Opus XI (Nacht, Vom Tode, Erster Teil, Opus XI) is a print by the Impressionist artist Max Klinger. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.
1933.126.1
Credit line
Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland

About this work

Overview

Night is the inaugural print in Max Klinger's series On Death, Part I (Opus XI), a collection of ten etchings exploring the transience of life and the abruptness of death.

Subject & Meaning

The piece depicts a contemplative man seated on a bench within an enclosed nocturnal garden, where a moonlit landscape and symbolic elements, a lily with a butterfly, reflect his introspective, melancholic state, embodying the series' themes of mortality and the human experience.

Technique & Style

Klinger employs chiaroscuro, leveraging the stark contrast between light and dark to evoke a sense of solemnity and inner turmoil, characteristic of the Symbolist movement's emphasis on emotional depth and the subconscious.

History & Provenance

Created as part of On Death, Part I, this etching was part of a broader artistic response to mortality, drawing parallels with the medieval 'Dance of Death' motif, as noted by contemporaries, highlighting its thematic resonance with both historical and contemporary audiences.

Context

Within the series, Night sets the somber tone, inviting viewers to ponder the ephemeral nature of life, a common preoccupation among Symbolist artists who often explored the mystical and the inevitable.

Legacy

As the opening piece of On Death, Part I, Night contributes to the series' influence on subsequent artists exploring themes of mortality and the psychological, though its direct legacy is more nuanced, reflecting the varied reception of Klinger's work over time.

On Death, Part I
On Death, Part I, Max Klinger

Artist & collection

Portrait of Max Klinger

Artist

Max Klinger

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…

MORE BY MAX KLINGER

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Night, from On Death, Part I, Opus XI (Nacht, Vom Tode, Erster Teil, Opus XI)?

Night, from On Death, Part I, Opus XI (Nacht, Vom Tode, Erster Teil, Opus XI) was painted by Max Klinger in 1889.

Where can I see Night, from On Death, Part I, Opus XI (Nacht, Vom Tode, Erster Teil, Opus XI)?

Night, from On Death, Part I, Opus XI (Nacht, Vom Tode, Erster Teil, Opus XI) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Night, from On Death, Part I, Opus XI (Nacht, Vom Tode, Erster Teil, Opus XI)?

Night, from On Death, Part I, Opus XI (Nacht, Vom Tode, Erster Teil, Opus XI) is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Night, from On Death, Part I, Opus XI (Nacht, Vom Tode, Erster Teil, Opus XI)?

Museum-quality prints of Night, from On Death, Part I, Opus XI (Nacht, Vom Tode, Erster Teil, Opus XI) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.