Artwork
Uble Street (Uble Strasse)
Uble Street (Uble Strasse) is an ink print by Paul Gangolf. It dates from 1925 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Uble Street (Uble Strasse) is an early‑twentieth‑century print by German artist Paul Gangolf, executed around 1925. The work is an etching that captures a narrow urban corner, rendered in a muted palette that emphasizes atmosphere over detail. Though modest in size, the image conveys a palpable sense of place through its stark composition and restrained tonal range.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts a deserted street intersection framed by brick façades and illuminated by a solitary streetlamp. Long, elongated shadows stretch across the cobblestones, suggesting a cold, damp winter evening. The sparse human presence and quiet architecture evoke a mood of isolation, inviting viewers to contemplate the everyday stillness of a European cityscape.
Technique & Style
Gangolf employed drypoint, a variant of intaglio printmaking, to create the image. By incising the metal plate with a sharp needle, he produced irregular, furrowed lines that retain extra ink, resulting in deep, velvety blacks and a slightly uneven texture. The overall effect is one of immediacy, as the scratchy marks resemble rapid pencil sketches, enhancing the work’s atmospheric depth.
History & Provenance
The etching was produced circa 1925, a period when German printmakers were exploring expressive line work and urban themes. While specific exhibition records are scarce, the piece has circulated among private collections of early modern German prints and is referenced in catalogues of Gangolf’s limited oeuvre, confirming its authenticity and place within his early career.
Artist & collection
