Artwork
Atlas
Atlas is a print by Katherina Mandlesson. It dates from 2007 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 2007, *Atlas* is a print by Katherina Mandlesson that presents a solitary gorilla rendered in a limited palette of pink and black.
Created in 2007, *Atlas* is a print by Katherina Mandlesson that presents a solitary gorilla rendered in a limited palette of pink and black. The composition emphasizes texture and form over naturalism, with the animal’s presence dominating the frame. The work belongs to a series exploring non-human subjects through abstracted, tactile surfaces, challenging conventional representations of wildlife in visual art.
Subject & Meaning
The gorilla in *Atlas* is depicted with minimal facial detail, its small, serious expression contrasting with the dense, chaotic mane. This tension between stillness and movement suggests a contemplative force, evoking themes of solitude and resilience. The animal is not portrayed as a specimen or symbol, but as an embodied presence, its form rendered with dignity through abstraction rather than realism.
Technique & Style
Mandlesson employed a relief-like printing method, building the image through layered ink applications that create a rough, tactile surface. The thick black outlines define the form, while the pink fur is composed of densely packed, short strokes that suggest motion and volume. The absence of gradients or mid-tones reinforces a stark, graphic quality, emphasizing materiality over illusion.
History & Provenance
*Atlas* was produced in a limited edition and entered the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum shortly after its creation. It was exhibited in a 2008 group show focused on contemporary printmaking, where its unconventional use of color and texture drew attention for its departure from traditional wildlife imagery. The museum holds additional works from the same series.
Context
In the mid-2000s, several artists re-examined animal representation through non-naturalistic means, rejecting documentary approaches in favor of emotional and material expression. Mandlesson’s work aligns with this trend, using printmaking’s physical constraints to explore the weight and presence of animals beyond their ecological or symbolic roles.
Legacy
*Atlas* contributed to a broader rethinking of printmaking as a medium for psychological and sensory exploration rather than reproduction. Its influence is visible in later works that prioritize texture and color symbolism over anatomical accuracy, particularly in contemporary prints engaging with non-human subjects.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist made the 2007 print titled *Atlas* using clean lines and flat color that looks like a map or a diagram cut in half.
