'under Tension', Joseph Beuys

Artwork details

Artist

Joseph Beuys (1921‑1986)

Title

under Tension

unter Spannung

Date 1964

MediumOil paint, gouache and graphite on paper

Dimensionssupport: 296 x 209 mm

Collection

Tate / National Galleries of Scotland

Acquisition ARTIST ROOMS Acquired jointly with the National Galleries of Scotland through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund 2008

Reference

AR00664

Not on display

Online caption

The title of this painting translates as 'Under Tension' or 'electrically live'. It depicts a machine or piece of scientific apparatus, with the conical and cylindrical shapes holding a long strip of metal under tension in a curved shape. Balanced on top of this, there looks to be another piece of metal with a lump of material at each end. Made in 1964, the drawing may relate to an 'action' performed by Beuys or might be a sketch for an unrealised 'action'. The artist included working machinery in his sculptures and 'actions'.