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George Grosz — Uomo e donna
George Grosz

Uomo e donna

1922

George Grosz's "Uomo e donna" from 1922 offers a potent glimpse into the artist's incisive observation of human types. Executed in confident China ink on paper, the drawing presents two distinct figures engaged in an implied dialogue. The man, depicted with a jaunty mustache and a knowing glance, is shown in three-quarter profile, his eyes directed towards the woman. Opposite him, a woman is seen from behind, her head turned sharply in profile, revealing a wide, almost theatrical smile that exposes her teeth. Her curly hair is pulled back, and her posture, leaning on what appears to be a chair back, suggests a moment of casual interaction. The crisp, dynamic lines convey a sense of immediacy and spontaneity, capturing the essence of their personalities through exaggerated yet keenly observed features. This work exemplifies Grosz's masterful ability to distill complex human interactions into powerful, economical drawings. Created during the tumultuous Weimar Republic, a period that profoundly shaped Grosz's critical output, "Uomo e donna" transcends a mere portrait to become a commentary on the societal archetypes of the era. Grosz, a pivotal figure in German Expressionism and Dada, was renowned for his satirical portrayals of Berlin's urban landscape and its inhabitants, often exposing the underlying anxieties and hypocrisies of post-war society. While less overtly political than some of his other works, this drawing still carries the characteristic psychological depth and unflinching honesty that define his best pieces. The interaction between the man and woman, though open to interpretation, resonates with the social dynamics and character studies that fascinated Grosz. This drawing, with its striking execution and profound contextual relevance, represents a compelling acquisition for any discerning collection of modern European art.

Medium
China on paper

🔨 Auction Lot

Martini Studio d'Arte: Modern & Contemporary Art (December 2018)

December 20, 2018

Estimate: €14,000 to €16,000

Lot 12

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About this work

George Grosz, Uomo e donna, 1922

George Grosz's "Uomo e donna" from 1922 offers a potent glimpse into the artist's incisive observation of human types. Executed in confident China ink on paper, the drawing presents two distinct figures engaged in an implied dialogue. The man, depicted with a jaunty mustache and a knowing glance, is shown in three-quarter profile, his eyes directed towards the woman. Opposite him, a woman is seen from behind, her head turned sharply in profile, revealing a wide, almost theatrical smile that exposes her teeth. Her curly hair is pulled back, and her posture, leaning on what appears to be a chair back, suggests a moment of casual interaction. The crisp, dynamic lines convey a sense of immediacy and spontaneity, capturing the essence of their personalities through exaggerated yet keenly observed features. This work exemplifies Grosz's masterful ability to distill complex human interactions into powerful, economical drawings. Created during the tumultuous Weimar Republic, a period that profoundly shaped Grosz's critical output, "Uomo e donna" transcends a mere portrait to become a commentary on the societal archetypes of the era. Grosz, a pivotal figure in German Expressionism and Dada, was renowned for his satirical portrayals of Berlin's urban landscape and its inhabitants, often exposing the underlying anxieties and hypocrisies of post-war society. While less overtly political than some of his other works, this drawing still carries the characteristic psychological depth and unflinching honesty that define his best pieces. The interaction between the man and woman, though open to interpretation, resonates with the social dynamics and character studies that fascinated Grosz. This drawing, with its striking execution and profound contextual relevance, represents a compelling acquisition for any discerning collection of modern European art.

Medium
China on paper
Year
1922
Seen at
Martini Studio d'Arte

Related themes

German Artist, Dada, Dual Figure, Urban Life, Male Artist, Modernist, Post War Art, Caricature, Social Commentary, Black And White, Ink On Paper, Portrait, Psychological Depth, Expressionist, Political Art, Works On Paper, Weimar Republic, Human Figure, Drawing, Satirical Art, Figurative

More works by George Grosz

Collected by

Art Institute of Chicago