Gloomy Face, Self-portrait (Dunkles Gesicht, Selbstporträt)

1922

Walter Gramatté

Associated Names
Walter Gramatté

Artist, German, 1897 - 1929

The image depicts an abstract representation of a person's upper body and head positioned upright and facing forward. Facial features are minimally represented with emphasis on the eyes, nose, and mouth, accompanied by some shading. The hair is loosely sketched and short. The individual appears to wear a collared garment with simple outlines and indications of buttons or fastenings. The background is plain and unadorned, reflecting the drawing style. No jewelry or objects are visible in the person's hands.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching, engraving, and drypoint

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 53.2 × 38.5 cm (20 15/16 × 15 3/16 in.)
    plate: 25.5 × 17.5 cm (10 1/16 × 6 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.92.254

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Eckhardt 1932, no. 159

  • Series Title

    Das Gesicht

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Sotheby's, London, June 29, 1993, lot 446); Ruth Cole Kainen [1922-2009], Washington, D.C. (Lugt 4739); gift to NGA 2012.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1932

  • Eckhardt, Ferdinand. Das graphische Werk von Walter Gramatte. Zurich: Amalthea-Verlag, 1932, no. 159.

Inscriptions

signed by artist, lower right under platemark, in graphite: Walter Gramatté / 22

Markings

stamp, center verso, in black ink: R

Wikidata ID

Q76556470

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