Parchment (4/V/81)
Maker
(artist)
b. 1944 (Life dates)
b. 1944 (Life dates)
Title
Parchment (4/V/81)
Date of Production
4 May 1981
Medium
copperpoint, fire, smoke on clay-coated paper
Dimensions
Height: 30.7 cm
Width: 22.7 cm
Width: 22.7 cm
Accession Number
D.2020.XX.3
Mode of Acquisition
Patrick Heide Art Projects, purchase, 2020
Credit
The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust). Purchased through a generous gift of the Tavolozza Foundation, 2020.
Copyright
© Susan Schwalb
Location
On display
Label Text
Susan Schwalb is known for her use of metalpoint, a technique in which a metal stylus
(in this case made of copper) is used to draw on a specially prepared surface. This
remarkable work dates from the early years of Schwalb’s transition into abstraction and
is among 165 ‘burnt’ works that she produced over a four-year period. First, Schwalb
burnt the sheet with a candle to produce hazy, irregular smoke marks, before applying
precise, luminous lines with a copper stylus. The result is a meditation on the
relationship between chance and artistic intention.
(in this case made of copper) is used to draw on a specially prepared surface. This
remarkable work dates from the early years of Schwalb’s transition into abstraction and
is among 165 ‘burnt’ works that she produced over a four-year period. First, Schwalb
burnt the sheet with a candle to produce hazy, irregular smoke marks, before applying
precise, luminous lines with a copper stylus. The result is a meditation on the
relationship between chance and artistic intention.
Provenance
Patrick Heide Art Projects; purchased through a generous gift of the Tavolozza Foundation
Inscriptions
Inscription: Verso: lower centre, graphite, artist’s hand: Parchment; Parchment (4/V/81); Susan Schwalb; #10758 (artist's inventory number).
Information on this object may be incomplete and will be updated as research progresses. We are particularly committed to addressing any discriminatory or offensive language and ideas that might be present in our records. To help improve this record, and to enquire about images of The Courtauld Gallery Collection, please email gallery.collectionsonline@courtauld.ac.uk. Find out more about using and licensing our images.
____________________________