Joseph Beuys

Pyramidal image

1979

Not on display

Artist: Joseph Beuys 1921–1986
Original title: Pyramidales Bild
Medium: 2 works on printed paper, oil paint
Dimensions: Support (upper): 324 × 546 mm
support (lower): 322 × 547 mm
frame: 922 × 730 × 47 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: AR00687

Online caption

This work is based around the shape of the triangle. The triangle or triad is used in Christianity, but also in theosophy and the writings of the philosopher Rudolf Steiner, who believed that the development of humanity could be tracked by the movement of state, economy and intellectual life. Beuys was greatly interested in Steiner's theories on society and he also used the shape as a symbol for his own theory of sculpture, to suggest unity and harmony but also movement. Newspapers are used as a basis for many of the artist's works, and here are artfully revealed and concealed.