Hamburger Harbor

1922

Rolf Nesch

Associated Names
Rolf Nesch

Artist, Norwegian, 1893 - 1975

The image shows a harbor scene with a high horizon and dramatic clouds in the sky. Small boats with masts are visible on the water, and there are tall, dark structures resembling ship masts and piers nearby. The artwork features expressive brushstrokes, black accents, cross-hatching, and swirling lines that convey movement. The color scheme is monochromatic, with shades of black and gray creating a moody atmosphere. The composition guides the viewer's eye across the canvas through lines and texture.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    drypoint and surface tone on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen

  • Dimensions

    plate: 17.4 × 24 cm (6 7/8 × 9 7/16 in.)
    sheet: 29.8 × 39.8 cm (11 3/4 × 15 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.92.412

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Helliesen 2009, no. 137, State only

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Gift of the artist to Helene Des Arts, Hamburg (not in Lugt); [1] Des Arts family, by descent (?); (Des Arts sale, Hauswedell & Nolte, Hamburg, June 8, 1985, lot 26); (Marlborough Graphics, London); Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased November 28, 1985; Gift to NGA, 2012.
[1] Helene des Arts was the wife of the pediatrician Dr. Reinhard des Arts. The latter was a friend of Rolf Nesch, and collected his work. According to the 1985 Hauswedell & Nolte sale catalogue, the present print was a gift on the occasion of Helene's 61st birthday.

Associated Names

Bibliography

2009

  • Helliesen, Sidsel and Bodil Sorensen. Rolf Nesch, The Complete Graphic Works. Milan, Italy, 2009: no. 137, only

Inscriptions

below image, in graphite, at right: Nesch; below image, in graphite, at left: Probedruck / Fra des Arts zum (...) (?); below image, at bottom right, in graphite, by later hand: 36 / 22 / 15

Wikidata ID

Q76556857

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