Günther Uecker
1930 - 2025
Ohne Titel (”Bildrituale - Entwicklung eines Werkes”). 1981.
Mixed media. Nails, paint on canvas mounted on wood, partially painted over in white, partially smashed with an axe.
Signed and dated in the lower right. From an edition of 22 copies. 72.3 x 63.4 x 6 cm (28.4 x 24.9 x 2.3 in). Lithographs: 61 x 51,5 cm (28,3 x 20,2 in).
Cover element of the multiple “Bildrituale - Entwicklung eines Werkes” (Image Rituals - Development of a Work), created in collaboration between Günther Uecker and the Swiss photographer Rolf Schroeter. The multiple was published in three versions. This work is Version A, of which 22 copies were produced, each featuring a unique nail picture on the wooden cover. This copy lacks the wooden box containing 22 granolithographs revised by Günther Uecker and a text sheet. [AW].

• Nail picture executed by hand and signed by Uecker, from the legendary multiple “Bildrituale - Entwicklung eines Werkes” (1981).
• Unique. Each of the 22 nail pictures features a different arrangement of nails and composition.
• As a co-founder of the ZERO group, Günther Uecker is one of the most highly regarded contemporary German artists.

This work is registered in the Uecker Archive under number GU.81.123.2 and has been earmarked for inclusion in the forthcoming Uecker catalogue raisonné.

PROVENANCE: Private collection, Zurich.
Galerie Knoell, Basel.
Cardi Gallery, Milan/London (with the gallery label on the reverse).
Private collection (acquired from the above).
Private collection, Southern Germany (acquired from the above).

EXHIBITION: Escape from the Frame, Cardi Gallery, London, Online, April 23-May 15, 2020.

LITERATURE: Dieter Honisch, Günther Uecker. Monographie mit einem Werkverzeichnis von Marion Haedecke, Stuttgart 1983, CR no. 1022.
Jürgen Harten (ed.), Uecker. Bibliophile Werke, Düsseldorf 1983, numbers 62, 63.
Dorothea and Martin van der Koelen, Günther Uecker. Opus Liber. Verzeichnis der bibliophilen Bücher und Werke 1960–2005, edited by Britta Julia Dombrowe, Mainz 2007, L 8103, Variant A (of B).

In good condition. Due to the technique used, the nail relief shows occasional small particles of material or tiny wood splinters embedded in the paint layer, as well as wear marks inherent to the work. The nails bear the corrosion marks characteristic of Uecker’s nail paintings. With the corrosion marks characteristic of Uecker’s nail paintings. Slightly unevenly browned, with very few tiny brown or paint spots.
For information concerning the condition, please view the high resolution image / backside image.