Rainer, Arnulf | Unfinished Into Death ( 12), 2011 — available on Composition Gallery

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12 x ARNULF RAINER - UNFINISHED INTO DEATH - Signed by Arnulf Rainer on a certificate of Authenticity - Containing 12 photos (paper size 36x50cm) and 1 page of text by Arnulf Rainer in English, German, Chinese and Spanish.

Unfinished Into Death (12) by Arnulf Rainer, created in 2011, is a powerful and provocative series of twelve photographs that combine expressive painted overlays with photographic depictions of human figures. Each image captures intense, intimate, and vulnerable moments, layered with Rainer's dynamic, gestural strokes in dark colors, often black or red, which partially obscure and redefine the forms beneath. This series exemplifies Rainer’s exploration of existential themes, blurring boundaries between life and death, intimacy and isolation. The overlay of abstract markings adds a layer of emotional complexity, symbolizing both an invasion of personal space and a protective veil. The images create a haunting and raw visual experience, urging viewers to confront themes of mortality, sensuality, and the transient nature of human existence.

Arnulf Rainer (Austria, 1929) is a pioneering artist known for his abstract informal art. He co-founded the Hundsgruppe in 1950 and developed his signature 'overpaintings,' where he layered paint over existing images, exploring themes of creation and destruction. Rainer's work often delves into the subconscious, reflecting his interest in dreams and the mystical.

Arnulf Rainer

Unfinished Into Death ( 12), 2011

Name: Unfinished Into Death ( 12), 2011
SKU: 4648
Price: 7100.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Form

Photography

PhotographyPhotography is the process of creating an image on light sensitive materials. The image is produced by using a camera, which has a lens that focuses on light either reflected or emitted from an object. These visible wavelengths are used to reproduce the image seen.

Medium

Photograph

PhotographA photograph is an image captured with a camera. Traditionally, photographs were made by exposing film and then developing the image on light-sensitive paper using chemicals. Today, photographs can also be captured digitally and printed or displayed electronically. The process requires a camera, whether film or digital, and a photographer.

Edition

Edition of 50

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Only an 'almost,' a 'nearly,' is possible.
- Arnulf Rainer

Renowned for his abstract appropriation art, Arnulf Rainer is a painter and founder of the Hundgruppe (dog group) alongside fellow artists Brauer and Mikl. Rainer has recevied acclaim for his technique of ‘overpainting’ which involves him taking a pre-existing work, and painting over it, usually with gestural strokes and a heavy impasto; Wine Crucifix is one of his most notable ‘overpaintings’ - originally painted in 1957 by the artist, he decided to rework it in 1978 noting that the ‘quality and truth of the picture only grew as it became darker and darker’. Rainer was heavily inspired by the depths of the human mind and explored his own subconscious through painting with the technique of Automatism, popular among Surrealist painters – he also experimented with painting with his feet and fingers as well as exploring the effect of hallucinogenic drugs on his creativity.

Artwork by Roy Lichtenstein

What is late modernism?

Late Modernism refers to the continuation and evolution of Modernist principles in art, architecture, and literature from the mid-20th century into the late 20th century. This movement maintains a focus on form, abstraction, and the rejection of traditional styles, but it often incorporates more complexity and ambiguity compared to early Modernism. Late Modernism explores themes such as alienation, identity, and the fragmentation of reality, reflecting the social and cultural shifts of the post-war period. It is seen in the works of architects like Louis Kahn and artists like Francis Bacon, who pushed the boundaries of Modernism while responding to the changing world around them.

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Arnulf Rainer

Unfinished Into Death ( 12), 2011

40 x 50 cm

Language & Currency

Arnulf Rainer