Sigmar Polke's oeuvre is permeated by quotations, links, experiments, and enigmatic subtleties. In his works, he often combines abstraction with figuration, putting both elements in relation to one another and thus developing new, completely open levels of association.
In doing so, Polke repeatedly makes use of historical graphic models. The head disappearing behind a grid of white paint is reminiscent of one of these. It appears to be so diffuse because it has been carved out of the rough, thick paint, which covers the ground almost like a crust, with bold brushstrokes and scraping tools, almost like sculpted, giving the sheet the feel of a coarsely plastered wall. This contrasts with the shiny, smooth, and flowing form of the gold. The seemingly random flow of the liquid color provides the outline of a fictitious head and continues to the right in a broad head of hair. This combination of different materials and color structures makes Sigmar Polke's works so characteristic. The artist does not bother to explain the title and depiction. However, the golden hair can be found as an association with the depiction of angels or the golden hair of Loreley. [EH]