Acrobat on a Horse (Voltigeuse zu Pferd)

1913

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Associated Names
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Artist, German, 1880 - 1938

The image displays dynamic and erratic lines forming an intricate pattern suggesting movement. The shapes appear to merge a horse and a human figure, intertwining to create fluidity. The human form leans over the horse with outstretched limbs. In the background, linear shapes hint at spectators or an audience. The composition blends familiar elements into a stylized scene challenging traditional representations.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    drypoint on blotting paper

  • Credit Line

    Ruth and Jacob Kainen Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 19.9 x 25.5 cm (7 13/16 x 10 1/16 in.)
    sheet: 42 x 39.2 cm (16 9/16 x 15 7/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1987.47.1

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Dube 1967, Vol. (I), no. 165, State only

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Kirchner estate (L.Supp.1570b annotated R 152). (Galerie Kornfeld, Bern, June 20-21, 1973 lot 397); unidentified private collection; (Wolfgang Wittrock Kunsthandel, Düsseldorf); Ruth Cole Kainen [1922-2009], Washington, D.C. (Lugt 4740), purchased August 1, 1979; gift to NGA, 1986.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1967

  • Dube, Annemarie and Wolf-Dieter Dube. E.L. Kirchner; das graphische Werke. Munich: Prestel-Verlag, 1967.

1985

  • NGA Kainen Coll. 1985, 12, repro. p.25.

Inscriptions

lower right below plate mark in graphite: E LKirchner; by later hand, lower left bottom in blue crayon: 152; by later hand, lower left bottom in graphite: Sch I. 152. KN.(M.) Voltigeuse zu Pferd 1909-13; all inscriptions on verso by later hand, lLv//in graphite: K 9 518 9275; lRv//in blue ink: 139.; lRv//in graphite: 22321

Wikidata ID

Q74877126

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