Kurt Schwitters was a German artist, poet, and designer known for his pioneering work in the field of collage. Born in 1887 in Hanover, Germany, Schwitters studied art and architecture before developing his signature style of assemblage and montage. He was a leading figure in the Dada movement and later the Constructivist movement, creating innovative and experimental works that pushed the boundaries of traditional art forms. Schwitters' most famous work is his "Merz" series, which incorporated found objects and materials into intricate and abstract compositions. He continued to work prolifically until his death in 1948, leaving behind a lasting impact on the world of contemporary art.
6. Merzbild Rossfett
- Artwork Name: Merzbild Rossfett
- Year: c.1919
- Medium: assemblage
- Dimensions: 20.4 x 17.4 cm
11. something or other
- Artwork Name: something or other
- Year: 1922
- Medium: collage
- Dimensions: 18.2 x 14.5 cm
13. Relief with Cross and Square
- Artwork Name: Relief with Cross and Square
- Year: 1924
- Dimensions: 69 x 34.2 cm
15. (Pino Antoni)
- Artwork Name: (Pino Antoni)
- Year: 1933 - 1934
- Medium: collage
- Dimensions: 59.1 x 45.5 cm
16. Picture with Light Center
- Artwork Name: Picture with Light Center
- Year: 1919
- Medium: collage
- Dimensions: 84.5 x 65.7 cm
17. N Watercolor 1. (The Heart Goes from Sugar to Coffee)
- Artwork Name: N Watercolor 1. (The Heart Goes from Sugar to Coffee)
- Year: 1919
- Medium: watercolor
18. Mountain Graveyard
- Artwork Name: Mountain Graveyard
- Year: 1919
- Medium: oil,board
- Dimensions: 91.5 x 72.5 cm
20. Merzpicture Thirty-One
- Artwork Name: Merzpicture Thirty-One
- Year: 1920
- Medium: assemblage
- Dimensions: 97.8 x 65.8 cm
24. The Holy Night by Antoni Allegri, known as Correggio...
- Artwork Name: The Holy Night by Antoni Allegri, known as Correggio...
- Year: 1947
- Medium: collage
- Dimensions: 52.9 x 33.8 cm
25. The Spring Door
- Artwork Name: The Spring Door
- Year: 1938
- Medium: assemblage
- Dimensions: 87.8 x 72 cm
26. Die Fruhlingstur (the Spring Door)
- Artwork Name: Die Fruhlingstur (the Spring Door)
- Year: 1938
- Medium: Assemblage
- Dimensions: 34 1/2 x 28 3/8 in. (87.8 x 72 cm)
"Die Fruhlingstur (The Spring Door)," created by Kurt Schwitters in 1938, is an assemblage measuring 34 1/2 x 28 3/8 inches (87.8 x 72 cm). The artwork exemplifies Schwitters' innovative use of mixed media, combining various materials such as wood, paint, and metal fragments to form a cohesive artistic expression. Dominated by earthly tones and geometrical abstractions, it integrates found objects and salvaged elements, emblematic of Schwitters' Merz philosophy, that transform mundane materials into an evocative composition. The inclusion of the number "22" adds an element of intrigue and narrative ambiguity to the piece.
27. Merzbild Rossfett
- Artwork Name: Merzbild Rossfett
- Year: c. 1919
- Medium: Assemblage
- Dimensions: 8 x 6 7/8 in. (20.4 x 17.4 cm)
"Merzbild Rossfett," an assemblage artwork by Kurt Schwitters created circa 1919, measures 8 by 6 7/8 inches (20.4 by 17.4 cm) and is currently held in a private collection. The artwork exemplifies Schwitters' innovative use of everyday materials, incorporating various textures and objects to create a complex and layered composition. The piece includes elements such as worn paper, metal fragments, and wooden components, glued or nailed together within a dark wooden frame. Schwitters' work is emblematic of the Dada movement, characterized by its abstract form and unconventional use of materials to challenge traditional aesthetics.
28. Das Kreisen (revolving)
- Artwork Name: Das Kreisen (revolving)
- Year: 1919
- Medium: Assemblage
- Dimensions: 48 3/8 x 35 in. (122.7 x 88.7 cm)
The artwork titled "Das Kreisen (revolving)", created by Kurt Schwitters in 1919, is an assemblage measuring 48 3/8 x 35 inches (122.7 x 88.7 cm). It is housed at The Museum of Modern Art in New York. The artwork features a complex composition of geometric shapes, primarily circles, layered in a textured, muted palette of greens, blues, and earthy tones. The arrangement of the shapes and the lines connecting them evoke a sense of movement and mechanical interplay, embodying the essence of the Dada movement through its unconventional use of materials and abstract aesthetic.
29. (pino Antoni)
- Artwork Name: (pino Antoni)
- Year: c. 1933-34
- Medium: Collage
- Dimensions: 23 1/4 x 17 7/8 in. (59.1 x 45.5 cm)
The artwork is a collage entitled "(pino Antoni)" by Kurt Schwitters, created circa 1933-1934. Measuring 23 1/4 x 17 7/8 inches (59.1 x 45.5 cm), the composition features an array of overlapping and juxtaposed paper elements, forming an abstract design. The collage prominently includes a large, pear-shaped reddish-brown form amid various other paper cutouts and fragments, some displaying text or illustrations. These diverse elements combine harmoniously, exemplifying Schwitters' innovative approach to collage and his seminal contribution to the Dada movement and modernist art.
30. Mz 410 Irgendsowas (something Or Other)
- Artwork Name: Mz 410 Irgendsowas (something Or Other)
- Year: 1922
- Medium: Collage
- Dimensions: 7 1/8 x 5 3/4 in. (18.2 x 14.5 cm)
"Mz 410 Irgendsowas (something Or Other)" is a collage created in 1922 by the artist Kurt Schwitters. The artwork measures 7 1/8 x 5 3/4 inches (18.2 x 14.5 cm). Composed of various elements including fragments of paper, cardboard, and fabric, the collage presents an abstract arrangement featuring overlapping textures and contrasting colors such as red, black, and beige. The complex interplay of shapes and materials embodies the Dadaist ethos, imbued with Schwitters' unique vision of transforming everyday materials into expressive art.
31. Merzbild Einunddreissig (merzpicture Thirty-one)
- Artwork Name: Merzbild Einunddreissig (merzpicture Thirty-one)
- Year: 1920
- Medium: Assemblage
- Dimensions: 38 1/2 x 25 7/8 in. (97.8 x 65.8 cm)
"Merzbild Einunddreissig (merzpicture Thirty-one)" is a 1920 assemblage artwork by Kurt Schwitters, measuring 38 1/2 x 25 7/8 inches (97.8 x 65.8 cm). The artwork, characteristic of Schwitters' innovative Merz style, incorporates various materials layered in a dynamic and abstract composition. The interplay of geometric forms, fragments of text, and textured elements in a predominantly muted palette creates a visually complex and engaging piece, reflecting Schwitters' avant-garde approach to art and materiality.
32. Bild Mit Heller Mitte (picture With Light Center)
- Artwork Name: Bild Mit Heller Mitte (picture With Light Center)
- Year: 1919
- Dimensions: 33 1/4 x 25 7/8 in. (84.5 x 65.7 cm)
"Bild mit heller Mitte" (Picture with Light Center) by Kurt Schwitters, created in 1919, resides in The Museum of Modern Art, New York, and measures 33 1/4 x 25 7/8 inches (84.5 x 65.7 cm). The artwork is an abstract composition characterized by a central light area surrounded by intersecting shapes and collaged elements. Combining a dynamic mix of earthy tones and fragments of text and images, Schwitters’ piece captures a sense of movement and the interplay of materials, emblematic of his pioneering collage and assemblage technique within the Dada movement.
33. Heavy Relief
- Artwork Name: Heavy Relief
- Year: 1945
- Medium: Assemblage
- Dimensions: 20 1/2 x 17 3/4 in. (52 x 45 cm)
The artwork, titled "Heavy Relief," is an assemblage created by Kurt Schwitters in 1945. Measuring 20 1/2 x 17 3/4 inches (52 x 45 cm), the piece exhibits a dynamic composition of three-dimensional objects arranged in an abstract manner. Various geometric shapes and forms, both organic and angular, interact within a textured, earth-toned background. The assemblage demonstrates Schwitters' adept skill in evoking depth and complexity through the use of diverse materials and intricate layering techniques, embodying the post-war experimental spirit of his oeuvre.
34. Die Heilige Nacht Von Antonio Allegri Gen. Correggio, Worked
- Artwork Name: Die Heilige Nacht Von Antonio Allegri Gen. Correggio, Worked
- Year: 1947
- Medium: Collage
- Dimensions: 20 7/8 x 15 1/4 in. (52.9 x 33.8 cm)
The artwork titled "Die Heilige Nacht Von Antonio Allegri Gen. Correggio, Worked" by Kurt Schwitters, created in 1947, is a collage measuring 20 7/8 x 15 1/4 inches (52.9 x 33.8 cm). Currently located in a private collection in Lugano, the piece exhibits a complex and multi-layered composition. It combines various fragments of paper, including texts, images, and abstract shapes, meticulously arranged to evoke a rich, textured surface. Embedded within these elements, one can discern portions of a religious painting, suggesting an interplay between historical art references and modernist collage techniques.
35. Aquarell 1 Das Herz Geht Vom Zucker Zum Kaffee
- Artwork Name: Aquarell 1 Das Herz Geht Vom Zucker Zum Kaffee
- Year: 1919
- Medium: Watercolor And Pencil On Paper
- Dimensions: 11 7/8 x 8 3/4 in. (30.2 x 22.3 cm)
The artwork titled "Aquarell 1 Das Herz Geht Vom Zucker Zum Kaffee," created by Kurt Schwitters in 1919, is a watercolor and pencil piece on paper measuring 11 7/8 x 8 3/4 inches (30.2 x 22.3 cm). It is housed in The Museum of Modern Art in New York. The artwork features an abstract composition rendered in delicate watercolor hues combined with intricate pencil lines, depicting an eclectic mix of geometric forms and organic shapes. Central to the piece is a heart motif, accentuating the fluid motion from sugar to coffee as suggested by the title, surrounded by intersecting lines and dynamic forms that evoke a sense of movement and complexity.
36. Hochgebirgsfriedhof (mountain Graveyard)
- Artwork Name: Hochgebirgsfriedhof (mountain Graveyard)
- Year: 1919
- Medium: Oil On Board
- Dimensions: 36 x 28 1/2 in. (91.5 x 72.5 cm)
The artwork, titled "Hochgebirgsfriedhof (Mountain Graveyard)," crafted by Kurt Schwitters in 1919, is executed in oil on board and measures 36 x 28 1/2 inches (91.5 x 72.5 cm). It is part of the collection at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. The painting features abstract forms and bold color contrasts, depicting a surreal landscape with prominent crosses, evoking a sense of solemnity and introspection within a mountainous terrain. The vivid interplay of dark and light hues, coupled with dynamic brushstrokes, creates an evocative and compelling visual experience.
37. Glass Flower
- Artwork Name: Glass Flower
- Year: 1940
- Medium: Assemblage
- Dimensions: 30 1/2 x 26 5/8 x 10 in. (77.5 x 67.5 x 25.5 cm)
"Glass Flower" by Kurt Schwitters, created in 1940, is an assemblage artwork with dimensions of 30 1/2 x 26 5/8 x 10 inches (77.5 x 67.5 x 25.5 cm). The artwork exemplifies Schwitters' innovative use of diverse materials, presenting a complex, textured composition that blends geometric shapes with three-dimensional elements. The interplay of abstract forms and the fusion of materials convey an intriguing visual harmony, reflecting the artist's seminal role in the development of assemblage art.
38. Mz 169. Formen Im Raum (forms In Space)
- Artwork Name: Mz 169. Formen Im Raum (forms In Space)
- Year: 1920
- Medium: Collage
- Dimensions: 7 1/8 x 5 5/8 in. (18 x 14.3 cm)
The artwork, titled "Mz 169. Formen Im Raum (Forms In Space)," was created by Kurt Schwitters in 1920. It is a collage measuring 7 1/8 by 5 5/8 inches (18 x 14.3 cm) and is housed at Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen in Düsseldorf. The collage features an intricate assembly of various paper fragments, creating a dynamic composition through a juxtaposition of shapes, textures, and colors. The arrangement of geometric forms and text elements conveys a sense of depth and spatial complexity, characteristic of Schwitters' innovative approach to art.
39. (elikan)
- Artwork Name: (elikan)
- Year: c. 1925
- Medium: Collage
- Dimensions: 17 1/8 x 14 1/4 in. (43.5 x 36.2 cm)
The artwork titled "(elikan)" by Kurt Schwitters, created circa 1925, is a collage measuring 17 1/8 by 14 1/4 inches (43.5 by 36.2 cm). It is housed at The Museum of Modern Art in New York. The artwork is characterized by an assemblage of diverse rectangular and square paper fragments in various colors, layered and juxtaposed to create a dynamic and abstract composition that embodies Schwitters's innovative approach to collage art.
40. Merzbild 1924, I. Relief Mit Kruez Und Kugel
- Artwork Name: Merzbild 1924, I. Relief Mit Kruez Und Kugel
- Year: 1924
- Dimensions: 27 1/8 x 13 1/2 in. (69 x 34.2 cm)
The artwork, titled "Merzbild 1924, I. Relief Mit Kruez Und Kugel," was created by Kurt Schwitters in 1924. Measuring 27 1/8 by 13 1/2 inches (69 x 34.2 cm), this piece exemplifies Schwitters' Merz style, characterized by its abstract, geometric forms and use of mixed media. The artwork features a harmonious arrangement of intersecting lines and solid shapes, with a prominent cross and a three-dimensional sphere situated centrally. Its composition, intricate yet balanced, showcases a dynamic interplay between flat surfaces and relief elements, evoking a sense of depth and structural tension.
41. Bild 1926, 3.cicero
- Artwork Name: Bild 1926, 3.cicero
- Year: 1926
- Dimensions: 26 3/4 x 19 1/2 in. (68.1 x 49.6 cm)
The artwork entitled "Bild 1926, 3.cicero" was created by Kurt Schwitters in 1926 and measures 26 3/4 by 19 1/2 inches (68.1 by 49.6 cm). The composition features an abstract arrangement of geometric shapes against a dark, possibly black, background. Rectangles, circles, and other angular forms are presented in a variety of muted and primary colors, such as reds, blues, yellows, and whites. The juxtaposition of shapes creates a sense of depth and structure, characteristic of Schwitters' avant-garde style.
42. Merz Picture 25A The Star Picture
- Artwork Name: Merz Picture 25A The Star Picture
- Year: 1920
- Medium: collage,oil,cardboard
- Dimensions: 104.5 x 79 cm
"Merz Picture 25A The Star Picture" by Kurt Schwitters, created in 1920, is a prominent example of Dada art, held at the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen in Düsseldorf, Germany. This abstract composition, measuring 104.5 x 79 cm, exemplifies Schwitters' pioneering use of collage, integrating oil paints and cardboard to form a textured, multi-layered visual narrative. The artwork features an intricate assembly of disparate elements including paper fragments, rope, and mesh, alluding to the Dada movement's embrace of chaos and rejection of conventional aesthetics. The artwork stands as a testament to Schwitters' innovative approach to art-making during a tumultuous historical period.
43. Mz 231. Miss Blanche
- Artwork Name: Mz 231. Miss Blanche
- Year: 1923
- Medium: collage
- Dimensions: 15.9 x 12.7 cm
The artwork, titled "Mz 231. Miss Blanche," is a collage created by Kurt Schwitters in 1923, belonging to the Dada art movement. It is an abstract piece with dimensions measuring 15.9 x 12.7 cm and is part of the Collection Dr. Werner Schmalenbach in Düsseldorf. The collage incorporates various fragments of paper, ticket stubs, and text that intersect and overlap, reflecting Schwitters' innovative approach to art through the assembly of everyday materials.
44. (Hitler Gang)
- Artwork Name: (Hitler Gang)
- Year: c.1944
- Medium: collage
- Dimensions: 34.7 x 24.5 cm
The artwork, titled "(Hitler Gang)" and created by Kurt Schwitters circa 1944, is a collage that falls within the Dada art movement. Measuring 34.7 by 24.5 centimeters, this abstract piece forms part of a private collection. The artwork employs a variety of torn and layered materials, including fragments of newspaper, targeting sheets, and other diverse paper scraps, adhered to a base that prominently features a deep red background. The eclectic and seemingly chaotic arrangement characteristic of Dadaism evokes an era marked by political turmoil and the artist's personal reflections on the period.
45. Cherry Picture
- Artwork Name: Cherry Picture
- Year: 1921
- Medium: collage,gouache,objet trouve,cardboard,wood
- Dimensions: 36 1/8 x 27 3/4 in.
"Cherry Picture," created by Kurt Schwitters in 1921, is a figurative artwork that exemplifies the Dada art movement. The medium of the artwork is a combination of collage, gouache, objet trouvé, cardboard, and wood. It measures 36 1/8 x 27 3/4 inches and is part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, US. The artwork features a diverse assemblage of materials and textures, unified into a cohesive composition. The abstract arrangement, coupled with a central image of cherries, embodies Schwitters' innovative use of everyday objects within artistic creation, characteristic of the Dada movement's challenge to conventional aesthetics and material use.
46. Der Weihnachtsmann (Santa Claus)
- Artwork Name: Der Weihnachtsmann (Santa Claus)
- Year: 1922
- Medium: collage
- Dimensions: 28.4 x 20.8 cm
The artwork titled "Der Weihnachtsmann (Santa Claus)" was created by Kurt Schwitters in 1922. This piece, executed in the medium of collage, forms part of the Dada art movement and measures 28.4 x 20.8 cm. It is housed in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. The artwork exemplifies an abstract genre, characterized by a highly textured composition featuring an assemblage of diverse materials, including paper fragments, printed text, and various geometric shapes. The disparate elements coalesce into a visually stimulating tapestry, emblematic of the Dada movement’s embrace of chaos and randomness.
47. Konstruktion fur edle Frauen (Construction for Noble Ladies)
- Artwork Name: Konstruktion fur edle Frauen (Construction for Noble Ladies)
- Year: 1919
- Medium: assemblage
- Dimensions: 103 x 83.3 cm
The artwork, titled "Konstruktion für edle Frauen (Construction for Noble Ladies)" by Kurt Schwitters, is an assemblage created in 1919 and belongs to the Dada art movement. Measuring 103 x 83.3 cm, this abstract piece is part of the collection at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in Los Angeles, California, USA. The artwork features a complex composition of geometric shapes and a variety of textures, incorporating found objects and materials to challenge conventional aesthetics and explore themes of disorder and construction inherent to the Dada movement.
48. Blauer Vogel (Blue Bird)
- Artwork Name: Blauer Vogel (Blue Bird)
- Year: c. 1922
- Medium: Collage
- Dimensions: 8 x 7 in. (20.3 x 17.8 cm)
The artwork, titled "Blauer Vogel (Blue Bird)" and created by Kurt Schwitters circa 1922, is a collage measuring 8 by 7 inches (20.3 by 17.8 cm). Currently held in a private collection, this piece exemplifies Schwitters' innovative use of mixed media, incorporating various paper materials and fragmented text. The collage features a complex array of torn and cut paper pieces, including newspapers and printed text, all meticulously assembled to form a dynamic and abstract composition. The strategic placement of colors, text, and shapes creates an aesthetically engaging and thought-provoking piece that reflects the artist's Dadaist influences.
49. (Mai 191)
- Artwork Name: (Mai 191)
- Year: c.1919
- Medium: collage
- Dimensions: 21.6 x 17.1 cm
"Mai 191," created around 1919 by the artist Kurt Schwitters, is a collage from the Dada art movement, measuring 21.6 x 17.1 cm. The artwork is characterized by an abstract genre and is housed at Marlborough Fine Art in London. The collage employs a juxtaposition of fragmented text and textures, presenting a seemingly chaotic yet meticulous arrangement. Its composition is dominated by torn pieces of printed material, prominently featuring bold, black typeface against earthy tones, invoking the period's avant-garde spirit and reflecting the anti-establishment ethos of the Dada movement.
50. Bild 1926, 12.Kleines Seemannsheim
- Artwork Name: Bild 1926, 12.Kleines Seemannsheim
- Year: 1926
- Medium: assemblage
- Dimensions: 67.5 x 52 cm
"Bild 1926, 12.Kleines Seemannsheim" by Kurt Schwitters, created in 1926, is an assemblage piece belonging to the Dada movement, measuring 67.5 x 52 cm. Exhibited at Kunstsammlung Nordrhein, the artwork embodies an abstract genre. The assemblage technique is evident in the variety of materials and objects integrated within the piece, demonstrating Schwitters' innovative and eclectic style. The artwork features a juxtaposition of shapes, colors, and textures, creating a dynamic and visually engaging composition that reflects the experimental spirit of Dada.