Faust (1951)

Dated 1951, "Faust" is an artwork by Willi Baumeister. Abstract, a short history: Abstract art moves away from depicting recognisable objects and relies on colour, line, shape, and surface instead. Movements of later decades, including Abstract Expressionism and geometric abstraction, carried non-representational ideas into new scales and materials. Context for 1951: After 1945 the centre of Western art activity shifted to New York, where Abstract Expressionism was followed by Pop art, Minimalism, and Conceptual art. Photography, film, and print culture became part of the language of art, and artists across the world developed their own responses to modernism. The catalogue places it in Abstract. The format is landscape.

On onlly.art "Faust" is sold as a digital download (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI). The files are delivered by email after payment, so nothing is shipped: you print locally, choosing the paper, size, and frame yourself. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Before printing, compare the proportions of the file with your frame so that nothing important is cropped. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing.

German, 1889–1955

If you like the visual language of Willi Baumeister, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.