Kirkeby, Per | Untitled (watercolor) — available on Composition Gallery

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// This untitled watercolor by Per Kirkeby captures a haunting and expressive scene with figures rendered in loose, fluid strokes of dark and earthy tones. The central figure, adorned with a tall, pointed hat, has an enigmatic presence, reminiscent of a theatrical or ritualistic character. The hazy lines and splashes of color create an ethereal, almost ghostly atmosphere, inviting interpretations of folklore or myth. Kirkeby’s style here is raw and evocative, emphasizing movement and texture over precise detail. This piece exemplifies his approach to abstraction and the emotional resonance of form, leaving room for the viewer’s imagination to explore the scene's symbolic or narrative elements.

Per Kirkeby (Denmark, 1938–2018) was a celebrated painter, sculptor, and poet known for his richly textured abstract works. With a background in geology, his art often reflected natural forms and landscapes. A prominent figure in Scandinavian contemporary art, Kirkeby's oeuvre bridged the organic and the conceptual, earning international acclaim.

Per Kirkeby

Untitled (watercolor)

Name: Untitled (watercolor)
SKU: 4453
Price: 7900.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Form

Drawing / Watercolor

Drawing / WatercolorDrawing and watercolor are two traditional art techniques which stand alone as media, but are often used in conjunction with each other. Drawing can create the basic outlines for watercolor painting. Drawing over dried watercolor or using watercolor pencils are combined media techniques.

Medium

Watercolor

WatercolorWatercolor refers to both the medium and the resulting artwork created using pigments suspended in a water-soluble vehicle. Watercolors are known for their luminous, transparent appearance because the pigments are applied in pure form with minimal fillers. By adding Chinese white, the watercolor can become opaque, resembling gouache.

Edition

Unique work

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Per Kirkeby

Untitled (watercolor)

Drawing / Watercolor

Watercolor

EUR 7,900

No sold works to show.

The role of art is to accept that things break down. That is the only way to get something new to emerge.
- Per Kirkeby

Heavily influenced by his background as a trained geologist and the natural environment around him, Per Kirkeby has created through the mediums of painting, sculpture and installation – with works highly entrenched in the concept of structure, Kirkeby has stated “Structure mirrors your degree of responsibility toward your work...You can't just let it float around in pretty colors. It needs a kind of core.” Such works as The Siege of Constantinople and Soft Lapping of Waves, Green are among his most notable paintings – gestural and heavily-painted, the influence of Abstract Expressionism is succinctly detectable. As a sculptor, Kirkeby worked predominantly with brick – Nordhorn is one of his most notable sculptures and provides a physical experience for the viewer; walking throughout each of the chambers and into the core of the structure opens up the realms of light and shadow, and the delicate interplay between the two.

Artwork by Willem de Kooning

What is Gestural?

Gestural art is a term that describes painting with freely sweeping brushstrokes. The primary goal of gestural art is to allow the artist to physically express emotional impulses. The varied, yet expressive paint marks are intended to convey the artist's inner thoughts and emotions, which viewers are believed to understand through the dynamic and spontaneous application of paint.

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Per Kirkeby

Untitled (watercolor)

84 x 52 cm

Language & Currency

Per Kirkeby