Hans (Jean) Arp 1886-1966
Image: 41 x 41 cm; 16 1/8 x 16 1/8 in
Framed: 68 x 67 x 2 cm; 26 3/4 x 26 3/8 x 3/4 in
Further images
Nature was a constant source of inspiration for Arp, yet rather than depicting plants, flowers or the human body directly, he reduced natural forms to fluid, biomorphic shapes that seem capable of continuous growth and transformation. In 'Pflanzenbild', the rounded yellow field and boldly contrasting blue and black forms appear simultaneously botanical, bodily and entirely abstract, reflecting Arp’s fascination with the metamorphosis of forms found in nature. The apparent simplicity of the composition is characteristic of Arp’s mature work: a small number of carefully balanced shapes create a playful yet remarkably harmonious image. Created in 1962, at the height of Arp’s international recognition, 'Pflanzenbild' translates the organic vocabulary found throughout his celebrated reliefs and sculptures into a particularly bold graphic composition.