David and Bathsheba

1825/1828

Carl Blechen

Associated Names
Carl Blechen

Artist, German, 1798 - 1840

The image depicts swirling lines and angular shapes in an abstract scene. The shapes resemble a figure seated by a fountain, wrapped in flowing robes that resemble cascading water. The drawing blurs the distinction between fabric and water, hinting at a palace or courtyard. The background includes arch-like curves, vertical lines, and decorative sculptures against the sky.

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Artwork overview

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Blechen's studio stamp (Lugt 263b). H. Wilhelm F. Brose, Berlin (Lugt 307c); (his sale, Hollstein & Puppel, Berlin, 8 November 1928, no. 36). Carl Heumann, Chemnitz [1886-1945] (Lugt 555b and 2841a); Stuttgarter Kunstkabinett. (Roman Norbert Ketterer, 29 November 1957, no. 18). Richard Tüngel, Ahrensburg; Beatrice Tüngel-Disclez, Niederweiler; sold 1972 to Wolfgang Ratjen, Munich; purchased 2007 by NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1930

  • 100 Jahre Deutsche Zeichenkunst, Stadtische Museum, Chemnitz, 1930, no. 8.

1934

  • Bildnis und Komposition, 1750 - 1850, Zeichnungen und Aquarelle aus der Sammlung Heumann, Chemnitz, Museum der bildenden Künste, Leipzig, 1934: 6, no. 9.

1937

  • Zeichenkunst der deutschen Romantik, Nassauisches Landesmuseum, Wiesbaden, 1937: 6, no. 15.

1990

  • Carl Blechen. Zwischen Romantik und Realismus. Nationalgalerie Berlin, 1990: 144 (ill.), no. 122, pl. 33.

2010

  • German Master Drawings from the Wolfgang Ratjen Collection, 1580 - 1900, NGA, 2010: 34, 38, 218-219, 221, no. 80 (entry by Hinrich Sieveking).

Bibliography

1940

  • Rave, Paul Ortwin. Carl Blechen. Leben, Würdigungen, Werk. Berlin, 1940: 225, no. 596.

1974

  • Bernhard, Marianne. Deutsche Romantik. Handzeichnungen. Munich, 1974: vol. 1, 28.

Inscriptions

verso, in graphite: 1646.55/244/30/Blechen/VII/142

Watermarks

partial W

Wikidata ID

Q64537847

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