Composition 14
About this artwork
Although the geometric paintings of Vordemberge-Gildewart resemble the work of Mondrian, the approaches of the two artists were entirely different. While Mondrian's art evolved from his spiritual beliefs, Vordemberge-Gildewart shunned all association with spirituality, symbol and metaphor. He argued that art represented nothing but itself, advocating what he called 'Absolute Art': 'The spiritual in art does not exist. .. For absolute art, so-called content and object are totally impossible.' This austere approach was reflected in the titles of his paintings which are simply numerical. The artist declared that it was his aim to reconcile art and technology.
Updated before 2020
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artist:Friedrich Vordemberge-GildewartGerman (1899 - 1962)
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title:Composition 14
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date created:1925
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materials:Oil on canvas
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measurements:104.80 x 104.80 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Purchased 1980
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accession number:GMA 2148
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gallery:
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subject:
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glossary:
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artwork photographed by:Antonia Reeve
Friedrich Vordemberge-Gildewart
Friedrich Vordemberge-Gildewart
Born in Germany, Vordemberge-Gildewart studied architecture and sculpture in Hanover. He became a close friend of the artist Kurt Schwitters, who also lived there. Vordemberge-Gildewart was one of the first artists to work in an abstract style throughout his career, instead of arriving at...