Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Max Pechstein. It dates from 1921 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Max Pechstein's *Untitled* (1921) is a portfolio of thirteen woodcuts, including a cover, exemplifying the German Expressionist style associated with the Die Brücke movement.
Subject & Meaning
One woodcut depicts a hunched figure at a table with clasped hands, alongside a kneeling child, set against jagged, flame-like lines. Inscriptions read "Das Vater" (The Father) and "Unser" (Our), suggesting themes of familial devotion or spiritual longing.
Technique & Style
Characterized by simplified forms, vivid contrasts, and bold lines, the woodcut's angular, rough shapes convey a sense of tension. The woodcut medium accentuates stark black lines against a white background, amplifying the expressive intensity.
History & Provenance
Created by Pechstein, a World War I veteran, the portfolio later faced Nazi suppression as "Degenerate Art". It is now part of The Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Context
Reflecting Pechstein's involvement with Die Brücke, the work embodies the movement's emotionally charged, expressive aesthetic, while also touching on the personal and societal turmoil of the post-WWI era.
Legacy
As part of the suppressed Expressionist movement, *Untitled* contributes to the historical narrative of artistic persecution under the Nazi regime, underscoring the portfolio's significance within 20th-century art history.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hermann Max Pechstein (German pronunciation: ; 31 December 1881 – 29 June 1955) was a German expressionist painter and printmaker and a member of the Die Brücke group.
