Alfred Döblin: Das Stiftsfräulein und der Tod (Alfred Döblin: The Canoness and Death)

1913

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Alfred Döblin (author)

Associated Names
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Artist, German, 1880 - 1938

Alfred Döblin

Author, German, 1878 - 1957

The image displays bold, angular lines and shapes in a rectangular composition on a blank background. The lines and shapes create a stylized figure draped in cloth, resembling a seated person. Thick, expressive text intertwines with abstract imagery, blending words and art seamlessly. The bold black lines against the light background give the appearance of an intricate woodcut or print design.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bound volume with 5 woodcut illustrations on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen

  • Dimensions

    overall: 23.5 x 18.2 x 17 cm (9 1/4 x 7 3/16 x 6 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.92.39.1-5

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Dube 1980, nos. 199-203

Associated Artworks

See all 5 artworks
The image features angular lines and bold black shapes forming an abstract design. On the left side, there is a block of text with a striking font amidst fluid shapes on the right. The abstract lines on the right suggest elongated figures or flowing fabric. The design merges text with fluid forms, combining the appearance of a book cover or a poster with abstract expression.

title page for Alfred Döblin: Das Stiftsfräulein und der Tod (Alfred Döblin: The Canoness and Death)

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Alfred Döblin

1913

The image shows a figure sitting in an angled chair. Their body is partially visible from the chest down to the knees, with hands on their lap. The person has abstract facial features with sharp, angular lines, and short hair. They wear a dark outfit with a collar or scarf around the neck. Around them are abstracted elements of a room, including a wall with a framed picture and three plant-like forms on a shelf. There is a table nearby with an unknown object. The background features a linear style with dark lines and shadows.

plate 1 in Alfred Döblin: Das Stiftsfräulein und der Tod (Alfred Döblin: The Canoness and Death)

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Alfred Döblin

1913

The image features bold, swirling lines and jagged, angular shapes creating a dynamic composition. The abstract artwork includes forms resembling a human figure, a round shape in the sky, jagged lines, triangles resembling mountains or foliage, and curves at the bottom that can be reminiscent of waves or clouds.

plate 2 in Alfred Döblin: Das Stiftsfräulein und der Tod (Alfred Döblin: The Canoness and Death)

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Alfred Döblin

1913

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Sotheby's New York, November 14, 1985, lot 66); Ruth Cole Kainen [1922-2009], Washington, D.C. (Lugt 4739); gift to NGA, 2012.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2014

  • Modern German Prints and Drawings from the Kainen Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 2014.

Bibliography

1980

  • Dube, Wolf-Dieter. E.L. Kirchner: das graphische Werk. Munich, 1980: 35, nos. 199-203.

You may be interested in

Loading Results