Back

KURT SCHWITTERS (1887-1948)

ARTIST BIO INQUIREDOWNLOAD PDF
 
<div> <font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Kurt Schwitters invented “<em>Merz”</em> in 1919, a term born from the fragmentation of the word "Kommerz" in one of his early collages. At a time of significant social, political, and artistic upheaval, Schwitters embraced modernist movements such as Dada, Expressionism, and Constructivism yet forged his path, developing <em>Merz</em> as his personal artistic approach. This idea of transformation, of elevating refuse into something meaningful, dominated his career and remained central to his creative practice until he died in 1948. <em>Merz</em> was not just a technique; it was a philosophy of creating art from the detritus of the everyday world, giving new meaning to objects independent of their original function.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Created in 1945 during his exile in England after fleeing Nazi persecution, “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole” </em>presents as an evocative example of his later <em>Merz</em> compositions. The work features a shoe sole as part of an assemblage whose topography includes two other raised elements: a textured scrap and a round white orb, creating an elevated terrain that brings physical depth to the piece. These elevated elements give the work a sculptural quality, blurring the line between painting and relief. At the same time, the layered textures and muted palette of slate and blue-gray, browns, and ochre underscore Schwitters' ability to draw beauty from what might otherwise be overlooked or discarded.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>The everyday experience, represented by the shoe sole, finds its place in an abstract landscape, much as Schwitters sought to create a sense of order from the disordered fragments of the world around him. The muted colors and rough textures of the assemblage suggest both scarcity—reflecting the limited materials available during wartime—and resilience, as Schwitters continued his artistic practice in the face of adversity.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Through this assemblage, Schwitters reaffirms his belief in the transformative power of “<em>Merz”</em>: the ability to turn the discarded into something new, meaningful, and enduring. “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole”</em> is a testament to Schwitters' unyielding vision, where even the most ordinary objects can become art, elevated literally and conceptually.</font></div> <div> <font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Kurt Schwitters invented “<em>Merz”</em> in 1919, a term born from the fragmentation of the word "Kommerz" in one of his early collages. At a time of significant social, political, and artistic upheaval, Schwitters embraced modernist movements such as Dada, Expressionism, and Constructivism yet forged his path, developing <em>Merz</em> as his personal artistic approach. This idea of transformation, of elevating refuse into something meaningful, dominated his career and remained central to his creative practice until he died in 1948. <em>Merz</em> was not just a technique; it was a philosophy of creating art from the detritus of the everyday world, giving new meaning to objects independent of their original function.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Created in 1945 during his exile in England after fleeing Nazi persecution, “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole” </em>presents as an evocative example of his later <em>Merz</em> compositions. The work features a shoe sole as part of an assemblage whose topography includes two other raised elements: a textured scrap and a round white orb, creating an elevated terrain that brings physical depth to the piece. These elevated elements give the work a sculptural quality, blurring the line between painting and relief. At the same time, the layered textures and muted palette of slate and blue-gray, browns, and ochre underscore Schwitters' ability to draw beauty from what might otherwise be overlooked or discarded.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>The everyday experience, represented by the shoe sole, finds its place in an abstract landscape, much as Schwitters sought to create a sense of order from the disordered fragments of the world around him. The muted colors and rough textures of the assemblage suggest both scarcity—reflecting the limited materials available during wartime—and resilience, as Schwitters continued his artistic practice in the face of adversity.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Through this assemblage, Schwitters reaffirms his belief in the transformative power of “<em>Merz”</em>: the ability to turn the discarded into something new, meaningful, and enduring. “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole”</em> is a testament to Schwitters' unyielding vision, where even the most ordinary objects can become art, elevated literally and conceptually.</font></div> <div> <font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Kurt Schwitters invented “<em>Merz”</em> in 1919, a term born from the fragmentation of the word "Kommerz" in one of his early collages. At a time of significant social, political, and artistic upheaval, Schwitters embraced modernist movements such as Dada, Expressionism, and Constructivism yet forged his path, developing <em>Merz</em> as his personal artistic approach. This idea of transformation, of elevating refuse into something meaningful, dominated his career and remained central to his creative practice until he died in 1948. <em>Merz</em> was not just a technique; it was a philosophy of creating art from the detritus of the everyday world, giving new meaning to objects independent of their original function.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Created in 1945 during his exile in England after fleeing Nazi persecution, “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole” </em>presents as an evocative example of his later <em>Merz</em> compositions. The work features a shoe sole as part of an assemblage whose topography includes two other raised elements: a textured scrap and a round white orb, creating an elevated terrain that brings physical depth to the piece. These elevated elements give the work a sculptural quality, blurring the line between painting and relief. At the same time, the layered textures and muted palette of slate and blue-gray, browns, and ochre underscore Schwitters' ability to draw beauty from what might otherwise be overlooked or discarded.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>The everyday experience, represented by the shoe sole, finds its place in an abstract landscape, much as Schwitters sought to create a sense of order from the disordered fragments of the world around him. The muted colors and rough textures of the assemblage suggest both scarcity—reflecting the limited materials available during wartime—and resilience, as Schwitters continued his artistic practice in the face of adversity.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Through this assemblage, Schwitters reaffirms his belief in the transformative power of “<em>Merz”</em>: the ability to turn the discarded into something new, meaningful, and enduring. “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole”</em> is a testament to Schwitters' unyielding vision, where even the most ordinary objects can become art, elevated literally and conceptually.</font></div> <div> <font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Kurt Schwitters invented “<em>Merz”</em> in 1919, a term born from the fragmentation of the word "Kommerz" in one of his early collages. At a time of significant social, political, and artistic upheaval, Schwitters embraced modernist movements such as Dada, Expressionism, and Constructivism yet forged his path, developing <em>Merz</em> as his personal artistic approach. This idea of transformation, of elevating refuse into something meaningful, dominated his career and remained central to his creative practice until he died in 1948. <em>Merz</em> was not just a technique; it was a philosophy of creating art from the detritus of the everyday world, giving new meaning to objects independent of their original function.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Created in 1945 during his exile in England after fleeing Nazi persecution, “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole” </em>presents as an evocative example of his later <em>Merz</em> compositions. The work features a shoe sole as part of an assemblage whose topography includes two other raised elements: a textured scrap and a round white orb, creating an elevated terrain that brings physical depth to the piece. These elevated elements give the work a sculptural quality, blurring the line between painting and relief. At the same time, the layered textures and muted palette of slate and blue-gray, browns, and ochre underscore Schwitters' ability to draw beauty from what might otherwise be overlooked or discarded.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>The everyday experience, represented by the shoe sole, finds its place in an abstract landscape, much as Schwitters sought to create a sense of order from the disordered fragments of the world around him. The muted colors and rough textures of the assemblage suggest both scarcity—reflecting the limited materials available during wartime—and resilience, as Schwitters continued his artistic practice in the face of adversity.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Through this assemblage, Schwitters reaffirms his belief in the transformative power of “<em>Merz”</em>: the ability to turn the discarded into something new, meaningful, and enduring. “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole”</em> is a testament to Schwitters' unyielding vision, where even the most ordinary objects can become art, elevated literally and conceptually.</font></div> <div> <font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Kurt Schwitters invented “<em>Merz”</em> in 1919, a term born from the fragmentation of the word "Kommerz" in one of his early collages. At a time of significant social, political, and artistic upheaval, Schwitters embraced modernist movements such as Dada, Expressionism, and Constructivism yet forged his path, developing <em>Merz</em> as his personal artistic approach. This idea of transformation, of elevating refuse into something meaningful, dominated his career and remained central to his creative practice until he died in 1948. <em>Merz</em> was not just a technique; it was a philosophy of creating art from the detritus of the everyday world, giving new meaning to objects independent of their original function.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Created in 1945 during his exile in England after fleeing Nazi persecution, “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole” </em>presents as an evocative example of his later <em>Merz</em> compositions. The work features a shoe sole as part of an assemblage whose topography includes two other raised elements: a textured scrap and a round white orb, creating an elevated terrain that brings physical depth to the piece. These elevated elements give the work a sculptural quality, blurring the line between painting and relief. At the same time, the layered textures and muted palette of slate and blue-gray, browns, and ochre underscore Schwitters' ability to draw beauty from what might otherwise be overlooked or discarded.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>The everyday experience, represented by the shoe sole, finds its place in an abstract landscape, much as Schwitters sought to create a sense of order from the disordered fragments of the world around him. The muted colors and rough textures of the assemblage suggest both scarcity—reflecting the limited materials available during wartime—and resilience, as Schwitters continued his artistic practice in the face of adversity.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Through this assemblage, Schwitters reaffirms his belief in the transformative power of “<em>Merz”</em>: the ability to turn the discarded into something new, meaningful, and enduring. “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole”</em> is a testament to Schwitters' unyielding vision, where even the most ordinary objects can become art, elevated literally and conceptually.</font></div> <div> <font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Kurt Schwitters invented “<em>Merz”</em> in 1919, a term born from the fragmentation of the word "Kommerz" in one of his early collages. At a time of significant social, political, and artistic upheaval, Schwitters embraced modernist movements such as Dada, Expressionism, and Constructivism yet forged his path, developing <em>Merz</em> as his personal artistic approach. This idea of transformation, of elevating refuse into something meaningful, dominated his career and remained central to his creative practice until he died in 1948. <em>Merz</em> was not just a technique; it was a philosophy of creating art from the detritus of the everyday world, giving new meaning to objects independent of their original function.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Created in 1945 during his exile in England after fleeing Nazi persecution, “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole” </em>presents as an evocative example of his later <em>Merz</em> compositions. The work features a shoe sole as part of an assemblage whose topography includes two other raised elements: a textured scrap and a round white orb, creating an elevated terrain that brings physical depth to the piece. These elevated elements give the work a sculptural quality, blurring the line between painting and relief. At the same time, the layered textures and muted palette of slate and blue-gray, browns, and ochre underscore Schwitters' ability to draw beauty from what might otherwise be overlooked or discarded.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>The everyday experience, represented by the shoe sole, finds its place in an abstract landscape, much as Schwitters sought to create a sense of order from the disordered fragments of the world around him. The muted colors and rough textures of the assemblage suggest both scarcity—reflecting the limited materials available during wartime—and resilience, as Schwitters continued his artistic practice in the face of adversity.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Through this assemblage, Schwitters reaffirms his belief in the transformative power of “<em>Merz”</em>: the ability to turn the discarded into something new, meaningful, and enduring. “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole”</em> is a testament to Schwitters' unyielding vision, where even the most ordinary objects can become art, elevated literally and conceptually.</font></div> <div> <font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Kurt Schwitters invented “<em>Merz”</em> in 1919, a term born from the fragmentation of the word "Kommerz" in one of his early collages. At a time of significant social, political, and artistic upheaval, Schwitters embraced modernist movements such as Dada, Expressionism, and Constructivism yet forged his path, developing <em>Merz</em> as his personal artistic approach. This idea of transformation, of elevating refuse into something meaningful, dominated his career and remained central to his creative practice until he died in 1948. <em>Merz</em> was not just a technique; it was a philosophy of creating art from the detritus of the everyday world, giving new meaning to objects independent of their original function.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Created in 1945 during his exile in England after fleeing Nazi persecution, “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole” </em>presents as an evocative example of his later <em>Merz</em> compositions. The work features a shoe sole as part of an assemblage whose topography includes two other raised elements: a textured scrap and a round white orb, creating an elevated terrain that brings physical depth to the piece. These elevated elements give the work a sculptural quality, blurring the line between painting and relief. At the same time, the layered textures and muted palette of slate and blue-gray, browns, and ochre underscore Schwitters' ability to draw beauty from what might otherwise be overlooked or discarded.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>The everyday experience, represented by the shoe sole, finds its place in an abstract landscape, much as Schwitters sought to create a sense of order from the disordered fragments of the world around him. The muted colors and rough textures of the assemblage suggest both scarcity—reflecting the limited materials available during wartime—and resilience, as Schwitters continued his artistic practice in the face of adversity.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Through this assemblage, Schwitters reaffirms his belief in the transformative power of “<em>Merz”</em>: the ability to turn the discarded into something new, meaningful, and enduring. “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole”</em> is a testament to Schwitters' unyielding vision, where even the most ordinary objects can become art, elevated literally and conceptually.</font></div> <div> <font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Kurt Schwitters invented “<em>Merz”</em> in 1919, a term born from the fragmentation of the word "Kommerz" in one of his early collages. At a time of significant social, political, and artistic upheaval, Schwitters embraced modernist movements such as Dada, Expressionism, and Constructivism yet forged his path, developing <em>Merz</em> as his personal artistic approach. This idea of transformation, of elevating refuse into something meaningful, dominated his career and remained central to his creative practice until he died in 1948. <em>Merz</em> was not just a technique; it was a philosophy of creating art from the detritus of the everyday world, giving new meaning to objects independent of their original function.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Created in 1945 during his exile in England after fleeing Nazi persecution, “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole” </em>presents as an evocative example of his later <em>Merz</em> compositions. The work features a shoe sole as part of an assemblage whose topography includes two other raised elements: a textured scrap and a round white orb, creating an elevated terrain that brings physical depth to the piece. These elevated elements give the work a sculptural quality, blurring the line between painting and relief. At the same time, the layered textures and muted palette of slate and blue-gray, browns, and ochre underscore Schwitters' ability to draw beauty from what might otherwise be overlooked or discarded.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>The everyday experience, represented by the shoe sole, finds its place in an abstract landscape, much as Schwitters sought to create a sense of order from the disordered fragments of the world around him. The muted colors and rough textures of the assemblage suggest both scarcity—reflecting the limited materials available during wartime—and resilience, as Schwitters continued his artistic practice in the face of adversity.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Through this assemblage, Schwitters reaffirms his belief in the transformative power of “<em>Merz”</em>: the ability to turn the discarded into something new, meaningful, and enduring. “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole”</em> is a testament to Schwitters' unyielding vision, where even the most ordinary objects can become art, elevated literally and conceptually.</font></div> <div> <font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Kurt Schwitters invented “<em>Merz”</em> in 1919, a term born from the fragmentation of the word "Kommerz" in one of his early collages. At a time of significant social, political, and artistic upheaval, Schwitters embraced modernist movements such as Dada, Expressionism, and Constructivism yet forged his path, developing <em>Merz</em> as his personal artistic approach. This idea of transformation, of elevating refuse into something meaningful, dominated his career and remained central to his creative practice until he died in 1948. <em>Merz</em> was not just a technique; it was a philosophy of creating art from the detritus of the everyday world, giving new meaning to objects independent of their original function.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Created in 1945 during his exile in England after fleeing Nazi persecution, “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole” </em>presents as an evocative example of his later <em>Merz</em> compositions. The work features a shoe sole as part of an assemblage whose topography includes two other raised elements: a textured scrap and a round white orb, creating an elevated terrain that brings physical depth to the piece. These elevated elements give the work a sculptural quality, blurring the line between painting and relief. At the same time, the layered textures and muted palette of slate and blue-gray, browns, and ochre underscore Schwitters' ability to draw beauty from what might otherwise be overlooked or discarded.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>The everyday experience, represented by the shoe sole, finds its place in an abstract landscape, much as Schwitters sought to create a sense of order from the disordered fragments of the world around him. The muted colors and rough textures of the assemblage suggest both scarcity—reflecting the limited materials available during wartime—and resilience, as Schwitters continued his artistic practice in the face of adversity.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Through this assemblage, Schwitters reaffirms his belief in the transformative power of “<em>Merz”</em>: the ability to turn the discarded into something new, meaningful, and enduring. “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole”</em> is a testament to Schwitters' unyielding vision, where even the most ordinary objects can become art, elevated literally and conceptually.</font></div> <div> <font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Kurt Schwitters invented “<em>Merz”</em> in 1919, a term born from the fragmentation of the word "Kommerz" in one of his early collages. At a time of significant social, political, and artistic upheaval, Schwitters embraced modernist movements such as Dada, Expressionism, and Constructivism yet forged his path, developing <em>Merz</em> as his personal artistic approach. This idea of transformation, of elevating refuse into something meaningful, dominated his career and remained central to his creative practice until he died in 1948. <em>Merz</em> was not just a technique; it was a philosophy of creating art from the detritus of the everyday world, giving new meaning to objects independent of their original function.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Created in 1945 during his exile in England after fleeing Nazi persecution, “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole” </em>presents as an evocative example of his later <em>Merz</em> compositions. The work features a shoe sole as part of an assemblage whose topography includes two other raised elements: a textured scrap and a round white orb, creating an elevated terrain that brings physical depth to the piece. These elevated elements give the work a sculptural quality, blurring the line between painting and relief. At the same time, the layered textures and muted palette of slate and blue-gray, browns, and ochre underscore Schwitters' ability to draw beauty from what might otherwise be overlooked or discarded.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>The everyday experience, represented by the shoe sole, finds its place in an abstract landscape, much as Schwitters sought to create a sense of order from the disordered fragments of the world around him. The muted colors and rough textures of the assemblage suggest both scarcity—reflecting the limited materials available during wartime—and resilience, as Schwitters continued his artistic practice in the face of adversity.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Through this assemblage, Schwitters reaffirms his belief in the transformative power of “<em>Merz”</em>: the ability to turn the discarded into something new, meaningful, and enduring. “<em>Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole”</em> is a testament to Schwitters' unyielding vision, where even the most ordinary objects can become art, elevated literally and conceptually.</font></div>
Ohne Titel (Merzbild Mit Schuhsohle)194521 1/4 x 17 3/4 in.(53.98 x 45.09 cm) oil and relief assemblage on plywood
Provenance
Ernst Schwitters, Lysaker, by descent from the artist in 1948
Private Collection, acquired through Galerie Gmurzynska, Cologne in 1981
Sotheby's New York, May 11, 1994, lot 40
Private Collection, Washington
Private Collection
Exhibition
Stockholm, Konstsalongen Samlaren im Konstnärshuset; Copenhagen, Statens Museum for Kunst und Kunstforeningen; Cologne, Wallraf-Richartz-Museum und Kölnischer Kunstverein & Rotterdam, Museum Boymans-van Beuningen, Kurt MERZ Schwitters. Retrospektivt, 1962-64, no. 182 (in Stockholm); no. 255 (in Colog...More...ne and Rotterdam)
Cologne, Galerie Gmurzynska, Kurt Schwitters, 1978, no. 97
Paris, Grand Palais, FIAC, Galerie Gmurzynska, Kurt Schwitters, 1980, no. 54
(possibly) Cologne, Germany, Museen der Stadt Köln, Westkunst. Zeitgenössische Kunst seit 1939, 1981, no. 113
Cologne, Germany, Galerie Gmurzynska, Klassische Moderne, 1981, no. 181
Madrid, Spain, Fundación Juan March & Barcelona, Fundació Joan Miró, Kurt Schwitters, 1982-83, no. 175
Vancouver, British Columbia, Vancouver Art Gallery, European Vision, 1987
Literature
Marlis Grüterich, 'Kurt Schwitters. Galerie Gmurzynska, Köln', in Kunstforum International, vol. 30, 1978 (illustrated p. 220)
Renato Maestri, 'ComMerzBankKurt-Schwitters. Una lezione rapsodica', in Domus, vol. 590, Milan, 1979 (illustrated in color p. 47)
Yusuke Nakahara, 'From the Lifeless View of Scrapping', in Bijutsu Techo, vol. 31, Tokyo, August 1979 (illustrated in color)
Galerie Gmurzynska, Kurt Schwitters, 1980, no. 54 (illustrated in color in the catalogue)
Heidi Bürklin, 'Kurt Schwitters: Vom Bürger zum Bürgerschreck', in Art. Das Kunstmagazin, vol. 10, Hamburg, 1981 (illustrated in color p. 91)
Galerie Gmurzynska, Klassische Moderne, 1981, no. 181
Ernst Nündel, Kurt Schwitters in Selbstzeugnissen und Bilddokumenten, Hamburg, 1981 (illustrated p. 120)
Karin Orchard and Isabel Schulz, Kurt Schwitters, Catalogue raisonné, 1937-1948, vol. 3,
Hanover, 2006, no. 3136 (illustrated p. 455)
...LESS... Price900,000
 Kurt Schwitters invented “Merz” in 1919, a term born from the fragmentation of the word "Kommerz" in one of his early collages. At a time of significant social, political, and artistic upheaval, Schwitters embraced modernist movements such as Dada, Expressionism, and Constructivism yet forged his path, developing Merz as his personal artistic approach. This idea of transformation, of elevating refuse into something meaningful, dominated his career and remained central to his creative practice until he died in 1948. Merz was not just a technique; it was a philosophy of creating art from the detritus of the everyday world, giving new meaning to objects independent of their original function.


 


Created in 1945 during his exile in England after fleeing Nazi persecution, “Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole” presents as an evocative example of his later Merz compositions. The work features a shoe sole as part of an assemblage whose topography includes two other raised elements: a textured scrap and a round white orb, creating an elevated terrain that brings physical depth to the piece. These elevated elements give the work a sculptural quality, blurring the line between painting and relief. At the same time, the layered textures and muted palette of slate and blue-gray, browns, and ochre underscore Schwitters' ability to draw beauty from what might otherwise be overlooked or discarded.


 


The everyday experience, represented by the shoe sole, finds its place in an abstract landscape, much as Schwitters sought to create a sense of order from the disordered fragments of the world around him. The muted colors and rough textures of the assemblage suggest both scarcity—reflecting the limited materials available during wartime—and resilience, as Schwitters continued his artistic practice in the face of adversity.


 


Through this assemblage, Schwitters reaffirms his belief in the transformative power of “Merz”: the ability to turn the discarded into something new, meaningful, and enduring. “Untitled, Merz Picture with Shoe Sole” is a testament to Schwitters' unyielding vision, where even the most ordinary objects can become art, elevated literally and conceptually.
Back
Inquire