Joseph Beuys

Untitled (Frauendarstellung)

previous next

About this artwork

The translation of the bracketed part of the title of this work tells us that it is a 'Representation of a Woman'. The woman is shown as a totemic figure, drawn with broad, confident brushstrokes, her curves contrasting with the geometric shapes of the background. Superimposed on the torso of the figure is a vessel shape. The equation of woman with vessel is found in many of Beuys's works of the 1950s, and is a relatively common one amongst male artists, influenced by Freudian theory. As elsewhere in Beuys's work, the female figure is not individualised.

Updated before 2020

see media
  • artist:
    Joseph Beuys (1921 - 1986) German
  • title:
    Untitled (Frauendarstellung)
  • date created:
    1958
  • materials:
    Oil paint and gouache on paper
  • measurements:
    42.80 x 30.10 cm
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Art Fund, 2008
  • accession number:
    AR00106
  • gallery:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
This artwork is part of Artist Rooms
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Tell us what you think.

Joseph Beuys

Joseph Beuys