Merz 3 (0/4)

1923

Kurt Schwitters

Associated Names
Kurt Schwitters

Artist, German, 1887 - 1948

The image displays an assortment of rectangles and squares, some solid, some patterned, distributed across the page in a seemingly unordered manner. It also includes fragments of letters and words moving around the shapes. Additionally, there are elements of dotted gradients and solid blocks, resembling layered windows or cutouts, like parts of a city captured in a grid. The combination of typography and geometric shapes creates a visually intricate composition.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    color lithograph with collage (artist's proof)

  • Credit Line

    Patrons' Permanent Fund

  • Dimensions

    overall: 56 x 44.5 cm (22 1/16 x 17 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2006.52.6

Associated Artworks

See all 8 artworks
The image shows a collection of geometric shapes and lines arranged in a rectangular layout. In the center is the number "3" and nearby is a heart pierced by an arrow. Below the number is a beige rectangular placeholder. The design includes text elements such as "MERZ," "MERZ MAPPE," "6 Lithos," and "Kurt Schwitters 1923" in varying fonts and sizes, resembling a vintage poster or book cover.

Merz 3 (portfolio cover)

Kurt Schwitters

1923

Merz 3

Kurt Schwitters

1923

This is a drawing of a promotional or informational cover. The artwork features a predominantly coral pink background with text in black and dark red. There is a larger red rectangle in the upper left quadrant containing stylized typography that reads, "6 Lithos auf den Stein gemerzt von Kurt Schwitters 1923," with a distinct emphasis on the word "Lithos." Below this, in smaller text, is the word "MAPPE" accompanied by an underline and a signature.

Merz 3 [Title Page]

Kurt Schwitters

1923

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Kurt Schwitters; Ernst Schwitters (the artist's son) until the late 1980s; Galerie Gmurzynska; purchased 2006 by NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2005

  • Dada, Musée national d'art moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris; National Gallery of Art, Washington; The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 2005 - 2006, unnumbered catalogue.

2008

  • Medieval to Modern: Recent Acquisitions of Drawings, Prints, and Illustrated Books, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2008, no. 148.

Inscriptions

lower right, in graphite: K. Schwitters 2[crossed out] 0/4

Wikidata ID

Q76347044

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