Provenance

Kunsthaus Lempertz

Kunsthaus Lempertz

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Elias Schweiglin, Coral Spoon, c. 1570, red coral, gilded silver, Patrons' Permanent Fund, 2024.51.1

Coral Spoon

Elias Schweiglin · c. 1570 · red coral, gilded silver ·  Accession ID  2024.51.1

The sculpture depicts a rough, textured head with indistinct facial features. Its surface is dark with a glossy shine, appearing to be made of bronze or a similar metal. Viewed head-on, the sculpture presents a stylized and abstract form, with a sense of ruggedness in its execution. The features are not sharply defined, offering an impression of facial contours rather than detailed anatomy. The head sits upon a simple rectangular base that elevates it slightly, drawing attention to its form and texture against a neutral background.
Edgar Degas, Head, Study for a Portrait of Mme Salle, original clay c. 1892, cast 1920/1926, copper alloy, Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, 1995.47.16

Head, Study for a Portrait of Mme Salle

Edgar Degas · original clay c. 1892, cast 1920/1926 · copper alloy ·  Accession ID  1995.47.16

The painting features a collection of large, colorful flowers in varied shades of purple, pink, red, blue, orange, yellow, and white. Green stems and leaves surround the colorful flowers. In the top left corner, a person wearing a yellow hat is partially hidden among the foliage, facing the right and reaching towards the flowers. The paint is applied with thick, visible brushstrokes, and few small details are visible.
Emil Nolde, Flower Garden, Kneeling Woman with Hat, 1908, oil on canvas, Collection of Arnold and Joan Saltzman, 2020.112.4

Flower Garden, Kneeling Woman with Hat

Emil Nolde · 1908 · oil on canvas ·  Accession ID  2020.112.4

This painting shows the upper body of a man with his body turned to us and his head looking to the left. The man has short, reddish-brown hair, light skin, rosy cheeks, arched eyebrows, and a small mouth in a neutral expression. He is wearing a dark purple garment with some designs around the neckline under a bright orange robe that is draped over his shoulders. He holds the edge of the robe in his right hand and is holding a red book in his left hand. A golden halo surrounds his head. The background is textured gold, and the painting is framed in a black arched frame.
Simone Martini, Saint Judas Thaddeus, c. 1315/1320, tempera on panel, Samuel H. Kress Collection, 1952.5.26

Saint Judas Thaddeus

Simone Martini · c. 1315/1320 · tempera on panel ·  Accession ID  1952.5.26

Shown from the waist up, a pale-skinned, bearded man faces us against a shiny gold background on this arched, vertical panel. The wooden panel is rounded at the top and has a wooden frame, which is painted gold along the bottom. The man’s skin has a greenish cast, but his cheeks and forehead are rosy. He has wavy, honey-brown hair and a long, forked beard. With his head tilted slightly to our right, the man looks up and off in that direction with gray eyes. He has a narrow, straight nose, a thin pink mouth, and small ears. He holds a red book in front of his chest with his right hand, to our left. The book has brown hinges, and the edges of the pages are gold. In his other hand, he grasps a wooden staff tied at the top with a small, black, square flag displaying a petal-pink scallop shell. His harvest-yellow cloak drapes over his shoulders, across his body, and over his left arm. Under the cloak, he wears a black tunic with wide gold trim patterned with starburst-like forms within pointed ovals along the neckline and sleeves. A double ringed halo punched with a flower pattern surrounds the man’s head against the glimmering gold background. There is a noticeable network of cracks across the painting's surface, especially on the gold background behind the man. Inscriptions next to his shoulders read “SATVS” on our left and “YACOBVS” on our right.
Simone Martini, Saint James Major, c. 1315/1320, tempera on panel, Samuel H. Kress Collection, 1952.5.25

Saint James Major

Simone Martini · c. 1315/1320 · tempera on panel ·  Accession ID  1952.5.25

The image features bold, dark lines and curved shapes forming an abstract composition on a light background. The abstract arrangement resembles a human figure reaching upwards with text surrounding it. The flowing lines and dynamic shapes suggest familiar objects like a person in motion, while the text adds an element of mystery and complexity to the artwork.
Franz Wilhelm Seiwert, Ihr Menschen Vereinigt Euch, 1919-1920, woodcut in black on wove buff paper, Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen, 2012.92.642

Ihr Menschen Vereinigt Euch

Franz Wilhelm Seiwert · 1919-1920 · woodcut in black on wove buff paper ·  Accession ID  2012.92.642

This is a painting of two abstract figures in a vibrant landscape. The image shows two stylized, nude figures in an abstract form against a dark blue background. The background is blue with black brushstrokes hinting at foliage. The ground is green. One figure is bending forward, while the other is seated with their back turned. The artwork features strong contrasting colors, simplified shapes, and focuses on body language. The style is reminiscent of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, known for vivid colors, dynamic compositions, and expressive forms.
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Bathing Couple, 1910, color woodcut printed in black, blue, green, and red on blotting paper, Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen, 2012.92.135

Bathing Couple

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner · 1910 · color woodcut printed in black, blue, green, and red on blotting paper ·  Accession ID  2012.92.135

The image shows a full-figure drawing of a person standing upright with hands crossed over the chest. The individual's face is visible, framed by long hair partly hidden under a flowing garment, likely a robe with a hood or veil. The person is dressed in full-length attire with ample drapery indicating folds typical of classical robes. Surrounding the figure are outlines of clouds with ethereal beings, potentially angels or cherubs, some carrying instruments like swords. Above the central figure is a dove, possibly in flight. The background includes cloud-like shapes blending with the figures, creating a celestial theme.
Martino Altomonte, The Virgin Immaculate, 1726/28?, black chalk heightened with white on blue paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 2002.5.1

The Virgin Immaculate

Martino Altomonte · 1726/28? · black chalk heightened with white on blue paper ·  Accession ID  2002.5.1

The image features angular shapes and sharp lines arranged in an abstract composition. The black and white pattern intertwines, creating a maze-like quality. Some shapes resemble a star within a triangle or curved lines that resemble crescent moons. The pattern has a dynamic and kinetic feel, similar to a fragmented cityscape or abstract architectural structures.
Walter Dexel, Stars Bridge (Abstract Composition), 1919, woodcut on cream Japanese paper, Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen, 2012.92.183

Stars Bridge (Abstract Composition)

Walter Dexel · 1919 · woodcut on cream Japanese paper ·  Accession ID  2012.92.183

This drawing shows a vast landscape with hills dotted with trees, grazing animals, and small buildings. In the distance on the right is a walled collection of buildings that may be a town or city. The vague outlines of people walk on a path in front of the wall. Closer to us, on the left, is a tall tree. At its base seems to be a kneeling man with a long beard. He is drawn with loose lines, and few details are visible. Next to him is an animal lying on the ground that looks like a lion, or perhaps a dog. The color palette is monochromatic, with dark brown ink on beige paper.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Landscape with the Penitence of Saint Jerome, 1553, pen and brown ink on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1972.47.1

Landscape with the Penitence of Saint Jerome

Pieter Bruegel the Elder · 1553 · pen and brown ink on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1972.47.1