Artwork

Untitled (Girl with Bird of Paradise)

Untitled (Girl with Bird of Paradise), by Gottfried Graf, ink, 1918
Untitled (Girl with Bird of Paradise), by Gottfried Graf, ink, 1918

Untitled (Girl with Bird of Paradise) is an ink print by Gottfried Graf. It dates from 1918 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Untitled (Girl with Bird of Paradise) is a 1918 woodcut print by Gottfried Graf, executed on wove paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a woman holding a long-stemmed, star-shaped flower against a dark background, with the sun and moon visible behind her. The composition is framed by stylized leaves and swirls, creating a symbolic and dreamlike atmosphere.

Technique & Style

Graf employed sharp contrasts between black and white to emphasize the shapes in the print, resulting in a graphic, angular representation of the subject. The woodcut technique, which involves carving a design into a wooden block, is evident in the bold lines and textured appearance of the image.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Gottfried Graf

Artist

Gottfried Graf

Gottfried Graf (1881–1938) was a German artist, born in Mengen.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.