Lyonel Feininger
1871-1956
Railroad Workers II
1915
9 3/8 x 12 1/4 inches (24 x 31.2 cm)
Pen and ink, black chalk, and watercolor on laid paper.
2005.128
Bequest of Fred Ebb.
© Lyonel Feininger / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Notes
Watermark: M B M
Fascinated by technology, locomotion, and speed, Feininger often drew locomotives and railroad scenes. In this watercolor, he revisited a subject he had first sketched in 1911 at the train station of Herringsdorf, Germany: a group of workers carrying a railroad tie. With great economy Feininger built the composition around the opposition between the tie, which forms a strong diagonal, and the men, who lean in the opposite direction. The restricted palette and bold contrast of values abstract the image. "Paintings have to sing," Feininger declared, "and must not stop at portraying an episode."
Fascinated by technology, locomotion, and speed, Feininger often drew locomotives and railroad scenes. In this watercolor, he revisited a subject he had first sketched in 1911 at the train station of Herringsdorf, Germany: a group of workers carrying a railroad tie. With great economy Feininger built the composition around the opposition between the tie, which forms a strong diagonal, and the men, who lean in the opposite direction. The restricted palette and bold contrast of values abstract the image. "Paintings have to sing," Feininger declared, "and must not stop at portraying an episode."
Inscriptions/Markings
Signed at lower left, in pen and ink, "Feininger"; inscribed lower center, "Eisenbahner II"; dated at lower right, "Nov 27, 1915".
Artist
Classification
Century Drawings
Catalog link
Department