Name/Title
Variations on Wagner's Ring (1 - 15)Entry/Object ID
1979.16.1Description
Deluxe portfolio of 15 lithographs created in 1967. Part of an edition of 18. Printed on Japanese paper and numbered I-XVIII. Seven lithographs (numbers 2,3,4,5,7,10,11) are hand-colored by artist.
Sheet size: 20 x 26"
Image size: 14 x 20"
1979.16.1.1 - Image that of a minimalist urban setting. Left-hand pictorial plane formed by an apartment-like structure consisting of an assortment of geometric shapes aligned vertically on the horizontally aligned paper plane. The right side portion of the picture plane consists of two distinct apartment house-like structures in the distance; the like left hand apartment house-like structures, the right-hand structures are vertically aligned. In the foreground on the right side appears a human-like image suggestive of a man or woman sitting down--there may be more than one figure here. The head (or heads) is drooping perhaps to suggest sorrow or remorse. The image appears to have been drawn in with thick, black crayon lines. The figure is hand-colored in a pale blue wash. Below the seated figure appears the artist's signature "F. Wotruba." In the lower left corner written in pencil is the inscription "V/XVIII." Paper appears to be Japanese rice paper but bears no manufacturer's watermarks.
1979.16.1.2 - Picture and image are horizontally oriented. Central image is of an urban setting with three figures in it. Setting consists of two geometric forms in the background from slightly right center to the far left of the picture plane. In the foreground in front of the geometric forms are two figures. The figure in the far left quarter is standing, facing left, and bent slightly at the waist with his left arm extended before it and left hand pointing off left of the picture plane. The figure in the center of the foreground is walking toward the right side and is facing the viewer. The figure also appears to be wearing a cape that has been painted red. Behind these two figures and to the right is another geometric form, and it appears to be supported on sawhorse legs. Seated in from of this geometric background is another figure who appears to be seated at a table with his hands on the tabletop. In the lower right corner appears the artist's signature, "F. Wortruba" and and in the lower left corner written in pencil is the inscription "V/XVIII." The paper appears to be Japanese rice paper with no watermark.
1979.16.1.3 - Image horizontally oriented on sheet. Central image consists of abstracted human figures in immediate foreground and geometrically abstracted urban setting in the background. Two human figures are present. One appears at the back central of the pictorial place and is wearing a cape in hand-painted yellow. The other figure appears at the back right part of the picture plane and also appears to be wearing a cape that is hand-painted in red paint. The background consists of vertical, horizontal and diagonal likes that are suggestive of an urban environment. Lines are drawn in what appears to be black crayon and have a sketchy nature to them rather than being exact. The artist's signature "F. Wortruba" appears in the lower right corner and "V/XVIII" is printed in the lower left corner in pencil. The paper bears no watermark and appears to be Japanese rice paper.
1979.16.1.4 - Image is a contour drawing executed in black. The image consists of background geometric forms that are suggestive of an urban setting or urban ruins. Geometric forms, mostly rectangular in shape appear in drastic disorder heaped atop one another as if piled rather than intentionally constructed. The foreground consists of five human forms. Two appear to be lying in prone position with legs bent at the knees; the left figure is facing the viewer while the right had his head toward the viewer. In back of these forms are three more human forms located in the lower left, lower center, and lower right corners. The lower left figure is prone, arms extended and knees bent. The lower center figure is standing upright and appears to be wearing a cape. The lower right form appears to be reclining on a rectangular geometric form with arms and legs extended. The paper bears no watermark. "F Wortruba: is written in pencil in the lower right corner and "V/XVIII" is written in pencil in the lower left corner.
1979.16.1.5 - Image appears to be drawn in black crayon using a contour drawing technique. Background image appears to be urban setting much like five distinctively geometric buildings, primarily rectangular forms. These extend from the top of the picture plane to approximately 1 3/8" above the bottom of the picture plane. A crowd of human forms are grouped near the lower center of the picture plane. Forms consist of one standing form that is on a pedestal above the others and which is standing with arms raised above head as if preaching to a crowd. Figures in crowd are or appear to be for the most part on hands and knees as if bowing before preaching form. Paper bears no watermark; it appears to be on Japanese rice paper. It is signed "F Wortruba" in the lower right corner in pencil and "V/XVIII" is written in pencil in the lower left corner.
1979.16.1.6 - Naked female figure with her back to the viewer and her right leg up to her chest. Her left arm is reaching left and her right arm is behind her. There is a round shape on her right shoulder and what looks like a piece of wood going in her back. Print 5/18.
1979.16.1.7 - Black line drawing of a male figure sitting down in possibly a chair. He is slightly hunched over working on something, possibly a building/structure, to his right (the viewers left). Entire sketch feels like stone. Print 5/18.
1979.16.1.8 - Geometric drawing. Along the left is a group of stacked rectangles and squares. It has a small base and then becomes larger. On the right is a rounded shape that is shaded in and has some yellow coloring. At the far right is a vertical shape which looks like a two on top the letter L. Print 5/18.
1979.16.1.9 - Abstract drawing of buildings closely grouped together. There are doors at various heights with abstract figures near them. Three of the figures are colored orange and two are red. Print 5/18.
1979.16.1.10 - Pile of rectangular shapes with figures sitting on the top, one with his arms outstretched. There is also a figure at the bottom right who has some blue coloring. Print 5/18.
1979.16.1.11 - Abstract drawing of several figures along the right side with buildings behind them. One building looks like a skyscraper. To the left is a curved shape, similar to a backwards C. Print 5/18.
1979.16.1.12 - In the center is a man with long black hair and his back to the viewer. Around his waist are vertical lines colored in blue, black, and red. To his right is a face with eyes closed and mouth open. Surrounding them are various black lines. Print 5/18.
1979.16.1.13 - Single figure which looks like a Jesus figure. He has long hair and a robe that is colored with green. He is facing the viewer with his right arm up in the air and his left arm pointing left. Print 5/18.
1979.16.1.14 - Building like structure made up of rectangles, some slightly warped. The rectangles are layered upon one another, most with the long edges running vertical. The rectangles that make up the bottom have no bottom line. Drawn in only black lines. Print 5/18.
1979.16.1.15 - There are four figures in this image. The one on the left is sitting down with his arms in the air. He is shaded the darkest. The next man is on his knees with his head in the lap of the first man. The two to their right are both naked, on their knees, and have their arms in the air. Print 5/18.Collection
Ackerman FoundationAcquisition
Accession
1979.16Acquisition Method
GiftNotes
Provenance Gift of Mark T. Jacobson of Mark Jacobson & Associates Inc. (through the Martin S. Ackerman Foundation)Made/Created
Date made
1967Time Period
20th CenturyDimensions
Dimension Description
PaperHeight
20 inWidth
26 inDimension Notes
14" x 20" imageColor
Black, White, Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Orange
