Friedenscreich Hundertwasser
New Zealander, born Austria, 1928 - 2000A Rainy Day on the Regentag, 1971
Not on view
Silkscreen and embossing on metallic cardboard
Dimensions18 1/2 × 23 3/16 in. (47 × 58.9 cm)
Anonymous gift, 1995.9
The Austrian version of art nouveau during the early 1900s was named after the Viennese secession movement. In the hands of its best-known painter, Gustav Klimt, complex geometric and spiral patterns overwhelmed the subject matter. Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who altered his real name, Freidrich Stowasser, has taken Klimt's convoluted decorative elements and made them an imaginary and sometimes frightening environment. Although he uses gold and silver, as did Klimt, his colors are harsh reds, yellows, and greens, rather than the muted tones of art nouveau.
Like all his prints, A Rainy Day on the Regentag, is a variation on earlier work. This print carries the trademarks of all those companies and persons involved in its production. There is also a guide annotating the sixteen colors used. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this print is the size of the edition (3,000) and the computer-like method of its printing.
