Pickaxe (Spitzhacke) Superimposed on a Drawing of the Site by E.L. Grimm
Pickaxe (Spitzhacke) Superimposed on a Drawing of the Site by E.L. Grimm
Claes Oldenburg
(Swedish, American, 1929 – 2022)
1982
Color Photogravure, Etching, and Spitbite Aquatint on Paper
6 7/16 x 10 1/8 in. (16.4 x 25.7 cm)
Cat. Raisonne: Axsom 180
Published by: Documenta Foundation, Kassl, Germany; Multiples, NY
"Pick Axe Superimposed on a Drawing of the Site by E.L. Grimm" is Oldenburg's graphic interpretation of a site specific sculpture titled "Spitzhacke" (Pick Axe), which was commissioned the the city of Kassel, Germany for "Documenta 7" in 1982. The sculpture measures 36 ft. 9 in. x 44 ft. 6 in. x 3 ft. 8 in. "Documenta" is an international exhibition in Kassel that occurs every 5 years. The sculpture is now part of the city's collection of public works.
Emil Ludwig Grimm was the younger brother of Jacob and Willem Grimm, the famed "Brothers Grimm". He was an artist and illustrator. A drawing from 1822 by E.L. Grimm was discovered at the Bruder Grimm Museum in Kassel that depicted the location where the Oldenburg sculpture was to be installed. Virtually unchanged, the drawing was photogravured and used by Oldenburg to create this etching, published in conjuction with the debut of the sculpture.
The platemark of the image is only 6-1/2 x 10-1/8 inches but is printed on a large sheet of paper. The print is pencil signed, dated and numbered in the lower margin.
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