Conversation

1929

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Associated Names
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Artist, German, 1880 - 1938

This is a painting of three abstract figures engaging with each other. The image is composed of bold, black outlines on a light background. The figures are rendered in a stylized manner with exaggerated facial features and gestures. On the left side, two figures appear to be in close conversation, with one whispering to the other. To the right, another figure with a patterned garment seems to be listening or engaging with the first two, with a hand raised. The space is divided with strong lines that suggest a compartmentalized interior with some abstract elements.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut printed in black

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen

  • Dimensions

    image: 34.5 x 49.6 cm (13 9/16 x 19 1/2 in.)
    sheet: 43.5 x 60.5 cm (17 1/8 x 23 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.92.700

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Dube 1967, Vol. (W), no. 614, State ii/ii

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Nachlass E.L. Kirchner (L. 1570b) H Da/Bi 5 II. (Christie's, London, June 29, 1978, lot 248); (via P. & D. Colnaghi & Co., Ltd., London); Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C.; gift to NGA, 2012.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1967

  • Dube, Annemarie and Wolf-Dieter Dube. E.L. Kirchner; das graphische Werke. Munich: Prestel-Verlag, 1967, no. (W) 614, ii/ii

Inscriptions

bottom right by later hand in graphite: NLG 44 II; bottom center in graphite: Unterhaltung H. 29; lower left verso by later hand in graphite: II Kinnbein der Figur rechts / linker Ellbogen die mittelfigur / Schläfe di Figur links

Wikidata ID

Q76557712

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