Emptiness

1942

Gustav Wolf

Associated Names
Gustav Wolf

Artist, German, 1887 - 1947

Frank A. Nankivell

Printer, American, born Australia, 1869 - 1959

The image shows the interior of an underground tunnel curving gently to the right. A dog is standing on the left side of the pathway, facing towards the bend of the tunnel. The composition focuses on the tunnel without showing an apparent end. The illustration uses intricate, cross-hatched lines and fine etching to convey texture and depth. The color scheme is monochromatic, with shades of black, white, and grey. A railing structure on the right side leads the eye along the curve into the dimly lit space ahead. Light appears to come from around the bend, illuminating the pathway and casting soft shadows on the walls and ceiling.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching with aquatint on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ingrid Rose in memory of her husband Milton Rose

  • Dimensions

    plate: 22.86 × 30.16 cm (9 × 11 7/8 in.)
    sheet: 31.75 × 39.37 cm (12 1/2 × 15 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2018.37.12.6

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Borries 1982, no. R25

  • Portfolio Title

    Vision of Manhattan

Associated Artworks

See all 13 artworks
This is a drawing of a figure wrapped in a cloak, sitting with a tall structure in the background. The image depicts a minimalist scene against a plain, textured backdrop. The focus is on the cloaked figure, emphasized by dark shading. The figure is seated on the ground, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, and entirely wrapped in the cloak. Behind the figure, there is an outline of a tall structure, possibly a column or statue on a pedestal, sketched faintly to suggest distance or scale. The drawing presents a serene and thoughtful ambiance.

Vision of Manhattan (cover)

Gustav Wolf, Frank A. Nankivell

1942

This is a photograph of a printed page titled "Vision of Manhattan." The page lists twelve etchings created by Gustav Wolf and includes details about the prints and their presentation. The title "VISION OF MANHATTAN" is prominently displayed at the top, followed by a description explaining that there are twelve etchings by Gustav Wolf placed in an artistic portfolio. The document states that these etchings are printed in 25 numbered copies, with details about the size of the plates and sheets. The page further includes a table of contents listing titles such as "NEW BABYLON," "TOWERS," and "WALL STREET," among others. The bottom of the page mentions the price for the complete set and provides an address for Gustav Wolf. The text is printed in a neat, capitalized serif font, aligned centrally on the page.

Vision of Manhattan

Gustav Wolf, Frank A. Nankivell

1942

Numerous sharp vertical lines and angles define the shapes of towering structures, converging towards the center of the composition. A figure sits atop the tallest structure, surrounded by smaller buildings, creating a geometric urban landscape.

Title Page

Gustav Wolf, Frank A. Nankivell

1942

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Ingrid Rose, Washington, DC; Gift to NGA, 2018.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1982

  • Borries, Johann Eckart von. Gustav Wolf: das druckgraphische Werk. Karlsruhe, 1982: no. R25.

Inscriptions

lower left in graphite: 5; lower right in graphite: Gustav Wolf

Wikidata ID

Q77263533

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