Body Pose III, 1971 - 1975

Photo etching on Zinc, drypoint etching reworked // This photo etching on zinc, reworked with drypoint, measures 68 x 50 cm and belongs to a limited edition of 40. The composition features a dynamic figure, arms and legs outstretched in a cruciform stance, set against a vibrant green background. Chaotic black drypoint lines overlap the body, creating an intense sense of movement, energy, and abstraction. The facial profile of the figure, rendered in shadow, contrasts sharply with the expressive, frenzied marks that envelop the torso and limbs, evoking tension between control and release. Body Pose III is part of Arnulf Rainer’s broader exploration of performative action and expressive distortion during the 1970s. By combining photography with etching techniques, Rainer transforms his own body into an artistic medium, blurring the line between performance art and traditional printmaking. The work reflects Rainer’s fascination with the physical form, psychological states, and the interplay of structure and chaos. Show Less