Oil and sand, partly in grattage technique, on canvas, reinforced with cardboard on verso
Signed and dated upper left (scratched into paint). With date, title and measurements on verso of cardboard. 74 x 62 cm (29,1 x 24,4 in)

We are grateful to Dr. Ulrich Schumacher, Emil Schumacher Foundation Hagen, for his expert advice. This work is registered under the number 0/90 in the foundation's archive.

PROVENANCE: Galerie Rothe, Heidelberg.
Private collection Baden-Württemberg.

The pastose structure of this material picture and its dispersing appearance is the actual basic element of this composition. However, the black background keeps the dissolution together, it gives stability and is the slowdown of a destructive process. This compact and yet differentiated material surface is contrasted by Schumacher with a graphic element, the sparse network of lines, which, being so fragile, can only optically defy the pestering mass. A felicitous combination between burden and rest seems to be the work's actual solution. Everything is in motion and yet paralyzed. The different image levels make for another dimension of the optical effect. Said Schumacher on matter in 1971: "Taking the world of objects from the center of attention and entirely focussed on matter. It can be regarded as material beyond paint and canvas. Any kind of material can be a source of inspiration for a painting. However, the material remains externally if I cannot fathom it as material, meaning that I don't grasp its true character, the arrangement of material is tacky and in best case a mere aesthetic sensation." (Selbstzeugnisse 1972, in: Emil Schumacher, Ölbilder, Gouachen, Tastobjekte, Radierungen 1957-1971, Galerie Schottenring, Vienna 1972, no page). [KD].