Act I, Scene 2, from Ubu Tells the Truth

1996-1997

William Kentridge

Associated Names
William Kentridge

Artist, South African, born 1955

Caversham Press

Publisher, founded 1985

The image shows a series of sweeping lines forming abstract shapes. One large, cone-like shape curves across the scene, connecting to a figure of a distorted human bending backward. In the background, a bicycle's outline and a bottle are visible among the abstract forms. The words "ACT I Scene 2" are inscribed in the upper left corner.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching, aquatint, drypoint, and engraving on Fabriano paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Thomas G. Klarner

  • Dimensions

    image: 24.7 x 30 cm (9 3/4 x 11 13/16 in.)
    sheet: 35 x 50 cm (13 3/4 x 19 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2005.64.1.2

  • Series Title

    Ubu Tells the Truth

  • Portfolio Title

    UBU: ± 101

Associated Artworks

See all 24 artworks
The image displays a mixture of sharp and curved lines depicting an abstract humanoid figure under a showerhead with water flowing down. The scene is labeled "ACT 1 scene 1" in text at the top left corner. An abstract bird and a bowl are also present in the composition.

Act II, Scene 1, from Ubu Tells the Truth

William Kentridge, Caversham Press

1996

This is a photograph of a textual design. The image features the words "UBU centenaire" written in red ink towards the top center. Below, the text reads "Histoire d'un farceur criminel" in blue font. The design is set against an off-white background.

UBU: ± 101

William Kentridge, Robert Hodgins, Deborah Bell, Caversham Press

1997

This is a painting of a humanoid skeleton-like figure and a human-like figure interacting on a stage. The painting depicts a scene set on a wooden floor with a backdrop marked "ACT II" and "scene 5". The humanoid skeleton-like figure is outlined in white against a dark background and features a spiral in the midsection, with simple line drawings indicating arms and legs. Beside it, a more detailed, texture-rich human-like figure stands with an assertive pose, reaching out towards the skeleton. Bizarre line art elements such as a simple chair and an abstract line suggest the floor and possible props. This is in the style of Jean Dubuffet, marked by an unrefined, raw artistic aesthetic, emphasizing primitive forms and a focus on the interaction between the two entities.

Act II, Scene 5, from Ubu Tells the Truth

William Kentridge, Caversham Press

1996

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Robert Brown Gallery, Arlington, October 5, 2000); purchased by Tom Klarner, Washington, DC, 2001; gift to NGA, 2005.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1997

  • Doepel, Rory. UBU: ± 101: William Kentridge, Robert Hodgins, Deborah Bell. Johannesburg, 1997: fig 12, pages 12-13.

2006

  • Krut, David, and Susan Stewart. William Kentridge Prints. Johannesburg, South Africa: David Krut Publishing, 2006, p. 60.

Inscriptions

lower right in graphite: W Kentridge; lower left in graphite: 19/50; upper left in plate: ACT I / scene 2

Markings

BS: CC

Watermarks

FABRIANO

Wikidata ID

Q76359962

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