Joseph Beuys

For Brown Environment

1964

Not on display

Artist: Joseph Beuys 1921–1986
Original title: Für Braun Raum
Medium: 2 works on paper, oil paint
Dimensions: Support (left): 360 × 278 mm
support (right): 363 × 233 mm
frame: 830 × 630 × 45 mm
Collection: ARTIST ROOMS Tate and 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: AR00119

Online caption

Beuys's environments developed from the artist's performed 'actions' and his glass cases (vitrines) containing objects. They were large-scale installations which allowed the artist to extend the boundaries of three-dimensional objects by 'staging' space, like a theatre set. Environments allowed Beuys to 'freeze' a moment from an 'action', and like the 'actions' and vitrines, a central concept of the environments was Beuys's' use of everyday materials. In distinctive matt brown Braunkreuz oil paint, this work sets the tone for a monochromatic environment in the artist's signature colour.