Joseph Beuys

For Brown Environment: Giant Vessels

1964

Not on display

Artist: Joseph Beuys 1921–1986
Medium: Oil paint on paper
Dimensions: Support: 738 × 1052 mm
frame: 789 × 1119 × 48 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: AR00130

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' an environment, 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. The cylindrical shapes with curved ends suggest that organic shapes or rolls of felt may be included in the environment.