Emil Nolde: Unpainted Pictures

by Jolanthe Nolde, Manfred Reuther, Barnett Newman

Unpainted Pictures is the title of a fascinating watercolors series painted by Emil Nolde from 1938 through 1945. Nolde created these works in the seclusion of his own home in Seebll, after his works had been confiscated by the Nazis and he himself had been forbidden to paint. He lent many of them to friends for safekeeping, in order to protect himself and his art from Gestapo raids. These small, free, imaginative works were ''unpainted'' in the sense that they did not officially exist and were not supposed to exist--also, Nolde hoped to expand on them at a later date. He never offered any of these watercolors for sale, and today this collection--which has become, for many, the summary and epitome of his work--resides at the Nolde Foundation in Seebll. All of the 104 watercolors in the series are presented here, along with a journal, consisting of dated notes, thoughts, questions and dreams, which forms a record of the period in which the Unpainted Pictures were being created. Gorgeous, diverse and quietly moving, these Unpainted Pictures continue to be nothing short of a revelation.

Genres: Art

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 15, 2001

Reviews

[Wolfe Tone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sublime collection of watercolours Nolde made in the seclusion of his home during the war-years when he was disgraced and banned from painting anything at all. These pictures were never intended to be published as full works of art, but their subtle style and fleeting beauty lend them an almost otherworldy grace. Influences range from Ensor, to Gauguin and Goya; this is Nolde at his very best.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Translated from the German, the verbiage in the essays of this book is a bit dense, but the quotes from Nolde's own writings, the information on the artist's life and work, and the historical context of the "Unpainted Pictures" is extremely valuable. The illustrations, comprising 104 of the 1300 watercolors Nolde created during the time when he was prohibited from painting, are glorious. The tiny works are like jewels, colorful fantastic worlds and figures.

If you're looking for a complete study of the artist, this isn't it, but if you love Expressionist art and Nolde's work, it's definitely worth looking into.

[Leopoldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emil Nolde, a pesar de sus afiliaciones políticas completamente aborrecibles, se ha convertido en uno de mis artistas favoritos. Estas "Pinturas sin pintar" (que son, más bien, pinturas por pintar) me han hecho enamorarme perdidamente.

[Susu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zuletzt räumte eine Ausstellung mit der Legende des total verfemten Kümstlers auf
https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/nolde-...

Dennoch: Kraftvolle Aquarelle

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The paintings are amazing!