Sigmar Polke

German, 1941 - 2010

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A person, outlined in black, lassos two puffy clouds with long ropes, all against an abstract patchwork of rectangles in the background of this horizontal painting. Many of the rectangles are cream white and others are muted tones of pink, beige, tan, and blue. Some darker sage-green, violet, and brick-red rectangles are scattered across the bottom of the composition. A narrow band across the top of the painting is made up of triangles in pale blues, yellows, and pinks. The person is drawn with thin black lines and superimposed over the background. This person stands on the right side of the canvas facing our left, almost in profile. His feet are widely planted and his knees bent. His mouth is wide open, and his curly, shoulder-length hair hides his eyes. He wears a floppy cap on the back of his head. His costume has long sleeves underneath a jerkin-style jacket and loose, knee-length pants. A dagger hangs off his belt on his right hip, and a small pouch hangs near his left hip. His arms extend straight out in front of his body, with a thick, twisted rope wrapped around each forearm. He pulls the ropes taut to catch clouds in the upper center and lower left. A few wisps of clouds fill the upper left corner. A small sailboat floats near the center of the composition on a horizon line that bisects the canvas. Near the boat, swirls and streaks of sky and navy blue, crimson red, and sunflower yellow funnel from a wide base along the left edge of the canvas to a narrow band across the center.
Sigmar Polke, Hope is: Wanting to Pull Clouds, 1992, polyester resin and acrylic on canvas, Gift of the Collectors Committee, 1993.59.1

Hope is: Wanting to Pull Clouds

Sigmar Polke · 1992 · polyester resin and acrylic on canvas ·  Accession ID  1993.59.1
The image displays intricate, wavy lines and patterns arranged in a grid-like layout, primarily in blue, with a black rectangular area in the center. The design is abstract, resembling a hand's outline and a small stick figure-like shape appearing to be held by the fingers. The pattern evokes woven fabric or a digital mosaic, blending structure and randomness. Sparse numerical and textual elements are integrated into the design, similar to fragmented data on a digital display.
Sigmar Polke, Figure with Hand (Figur mit Hand), 1973, offset lithograph in black on blue paper with lizard-skin design, Gift of Wolfgang Wittrock, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, 1991.57.14

Figure with Hand (Figur mit Hand)

Sigmar Polke · 1973 · offset lithograph in black on blue paper with lizard-skin design ·  Accession ID  1991.57.14
This is a photograph of an urban scene with a sleeping dog. The monochrome image depicts a busy street with multiple figures moving in various directions. The central figure is walking while carrying a bag. To the right, there is a dog sleeping next to an urban waste bin marked with an arrow. The setting is likely a city street with a pedestrian environment, suggesting movement and daily activity. The photograph has an ethereal, ghostly quality, possibly due to the development process or intended artistic effect.
Sigmar Polke, Cologne Beggars III (Kölner Bettler III), 1972, offset lithograph in black on wove paper, Gift of Wolfgang Wittrock, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, 1991.57.12

Cologne Beggars III (Kölner Bettler III)

Sigmar Polke · 1972 · offset lithograph in black on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1991.57.12
The image shows two men standing by a store window. One man is playing a guitar, dressed in a coat and scarf, while the other man is holding a cup. The background displays shoes in the window and some writing.
Sigmar Polke, Cologne Beggars II (Kölner Bettler II), 1972, offset lithograph in black on wove paper, Gift of Wolfgang Wittrock, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, 1991.57.11

Cologne Beggars II (Kölner Bettler II)

Sigmar Polke · 1972 · offset lithograph in black on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1991.57.11
This is a photograph of a street scene. The image features a figure sitting on the ground in front of a store display window, next to a bin with signage, with another figure standing nearby. The urban setting includes street furniture and textures of clothing. In the background, there is a shop window displaying various items. The photo is in high-contrast black-and-white, giving it a timeless, documentary quality. The composition and textures highlight the environment and interaction between the figures, offering a snapshot of everyday street life.
Sigmar Polke, Cologne Beggars I (Kölner Bettler I), 1972, offset lithograph in black on wove paper, Gift of Wolfgang Wittrock, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, 1991.57.10

Cologne Beggars I (Kölner Bettler I)

Sigmar Polke · 1972 · offset lithograph in black on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1991.57.10
In the image, a man is kneeling on the ground while playing a guitar. He wears a hat that casts a shadow over his face, making his facial features indistinct. The man is dressed in a long coat, trousers, and shoes. In the background, a crowd of people is watching him. The individuals are mostly dressed in coats and some are wearing hats. The background appears to be a public space, potentially an outdoor urban area.
Sigmar Polke, Cologne Beggars IV (Kölner Bettler IV), 1972, offset lithograph in black on wove paper, Gift of Wolfgang Wittrock, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, 1991.57.13

Cologne Beggars IV (Kölner Bettler IV)

Sigmar Polke · 1972 · offset lithograph in black on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1991.57.13
The image shows a large sheet of light-colored paper with a long rod placed diagonally across it, and several strings extending from the rod end with small photographs attached. The color palette consists mainly of grayscale tones due to the black and white nature of the image. The stick is positioned diagonally across the paper, with the strings extending downward, and the photographs are scattered around the lower area of the paper. The background features a textured surface.
Sigmar Polke, Ohne Titel - Polkes Peitsche (Untitled - Polke's Whip), 1964-1968, printed 1990, gelatin silver print, Patrons' Permanent Fund, 2008.30.40

Ohne Titel - Polkes Peitsche (Untitled - Polke's Whip)

Sigmar Polke · 1964-1968, printed 1990 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2008.30.40
A dark table is against a light wall. An overturned white mug and a piece of white paper are on the table. The color palette is black, white, and grey. The table is centrally placed with the mug near the left edge and the paper spilling out in a zigzag pattern. The wall is to the left and the floor is in the bottom of the image.
Sigmar Polke, Ohne Titel (Untitled), 1964-1968, printed 1990, gelatin silver print, Patrons' Permanent Fund, 2008.30.39

Ohne Titel (Untitled)

Sigmar Polke · 1964-1968, printed 1990 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2008.30.39
The image is a composite of five black-and-white photographs showing different phases of transformation. The top row features three upward-facing views of a mountainous landscape covered in snow and shadows, with no clear horizon and peaks dominating the scene. The style is slightly blurred and abstract. Below, two larger photographs show abstract representations - one a blurred sphere and the other a defined circular light-refracting shape against a dark backdrop. The images use a monochromatic palette of grey and black, conveying depth and transformation. The soft focus creates an ethereal, dream-like visual experience.
Sigmar Polke, Gerhard Richter, Umwandlung (Transformation), 1968, photolithograph, Patrons' Permanent Fund, 2008.30.41

Umwandlung (Transformation)

Sigmar Polke, Gerhard Richter · 1968 · photolithograph ·  Accession ID  2008.30.41