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A collage of various scraps of paper on cardboard

A base of corrugated cardboard, with its top layer of paper torn off so that the corrugations show through in places, is collaged with overlapping tan white black or red paper scraps to form an abstract composition. In the center a broken black triangle shape starts at middle left, angles up to top center and extends almost to the lower right corner. Faded paper and textile scraps alternate with sections of printed newspaper. In the upper left corner a newspaper clipping reads in block letters, ”MINISTRY OF FOOD”. In other corners and just below center, the word “RIBBLE” appears on other clippings.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
2013.45
People
Kurt Schwitters, German (Hanover, Germany 1887 - 1948 Kendal, England)
Title
Untitled (Ministry of Food)
Classification
Drawings
Work Type
drawing
Date
1946
Culture
German
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/348822

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Collaged paper and textile elements adhered to corrugated cardboard
Technique
Collage
Dimensions
24.1 x 20.3 cm (9 1/2 x 8 in.)
Inscriptions and Marks
  • inscription: On verso, in graphite: Cleaning up // Mehrgut
  • inscription: On verso, in red crayon: C 37
  • inscription: On recto, inscribed on Ministry of Food label: L. MEHRGUT // DWCB/94/6 // 44 // (illegible writing) Barret // F.O.
  • inscription: On recto, center right edge, in graphite: K

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
G. David Thompson, Pittsburgh, PA, gift; to Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Kuhn (1959-1990), by bequest; to Sally Jane Kuhn (1990-2013), gift; to the Busch-Reisinger Museum, Harvard Art Museums, 2013.

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
Orchard and Schulz 3352

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Busch-Reisinger Museum, Gift of Sally Jane Kuhn in memory of Charles L. Kuhn and Hetty Shuman Kuhn
Accession Year
2013
Object Number
2013.45
Division
Modern and Contemporary Art
Contact
am_moderncontemporary@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Publication History

  • Works from Private Collections, exh. cat., Boston University Art Galleries (Boston, MA, 1960), n.p., cat. 80, ill. (b/w)
  • Karin Orchard and Isabel Schulz, Kurt Schwitters, catalogue raisonné, Hatje Cantz (Ostfildern-Ruit, Germany, 2000), p. 561, fig. 3352, ill.

Exhibition History

  • Works from Private Collections, Boston University Art Galleries, Boston, 04/23/1960 - 05/14/1960
  • 32Q: 1520 Art in Germany Between the Wars (Interwar and Bauhaus), Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 11/16/2014 - 05/06/2015

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Modern and Contemporary Art at am_moderncontemporary@harvard.edu