Graphite on paper
Tate Collection
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National Heritage Memorial Fund
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<a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/joseph-beuys-747" aria-label="More by Joseph Beuys" data-gtm-name="header_link_artist" data-gtm-destination="page--artist">Joseph Beuys</a>
Astral Chemical Goddess
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
abstract concepts
abstraction
adults
animals: mammals
astronomy
Earth - woman
emotions, concepts and ideas
fertility
fertility - hare
fertility - woman
figure
from recognisable sources
goddess
hare
nature
people
religion and belief
star
symbols and personifications
universal concepts
universal religious imagery
woman
paper unique graphite
Astral Chemical Goddess
support: 253 × 260 mm
frame: 674 × 540 × 28 mm
<a href="/search?gid=999999788" data-gtm-name="tombstone_link_bequest" data-gtm-destination="list-page--search-results">ARTIST ROOMS</a>
Acquired jointly with the National Galleries of Scotland through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the <a href="/search?gid=999999967" data-gtm-name="tombstone_link_bequest" data-gtm-destination="list-page--search-results">National Heritage Memorial Fund</a> and the <a href="/search?gid=999999968" data-gtm-name="tombstone_link_bequest" data-gtm-destination="list-page--search-results">Art Fund</a> 2008
<p>At the centre of this drawing is a figure, who we can assume is the Goddess. To her left and right, a pair of hares extend their paws tentatively towards the woman, as if to keep her anchored to the ground. For Beuys, the hare was connected with fertility and the earth; in the same way he felt women were also. He depicted both women and hares as means of connection between earthly and unearthly worlds. Here, 'Astral' suggests a heavenly link and making the figure as a Goddess highlights the artist's interest in primitive rituals and tribal magic.</p>

Online caption
2009-04-16T00:00:00
online-caption
ONLINE_CAPTION
abstract concepts abstraction adults animals: mammals astronomy Earth - woman emotions, concepts and ideas fertility fertility - hare fertility - woman figure from recognisable sources goddess hare nature people religion and belief star symbols and personifications universal concepts universal religious imagery woman