About this artwork

The title of this drawing translates as '2 Sheep's heads', which are represented by shapes torn in the dark-painted paper. It is a two-part work, with one part painted in oil paint and the other in oil paint and fat. Beuys often used fat as a substance in his 'actions' and sculptures, however he used it less frequently in his drawings due to the nature of the material. He viewed fat as an alchemical material, with multiple uses. Fat could be a source of nourishment and fuel, as well as representing warmth and the creative principle. Beuys made a multiple based on this work.

Updated before 2020

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  • artist:
    Joseph Beuys (1921 - 1986) German
  • title:
    2 Schafskopfe
  • date created:
    1961 - 1975
  • materials:
    2 works on paper, oil paint and fat
  • measurements:
    27.90 x 21.60 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:
    AR00647
  • gallery:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
This artwork is part of Artist Rooms
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Joseph Beuys

Joseph Beuys