Lithograph on paper
Tate Collection
Works with images
General Collection
Collection
<a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/ian-hamilton-finlay-1093" aria-label="More by Ian Hamilton Finlay" data-gtm-name="header_link_artist" data-gtm-destination="page--artist">Ian Hamilton Finlay</a>
Luftwaffe  After Mondrian
Bequeathed by David Brown in memory of Mrs Liza Brown 2003
abstraction
cross
fine art and design, named works
geometric
inscriptions
Mondrian, Piet, paintings
non-representational
objects
symbols and personifications
title of work
<p>Finlay makes a visual pun between the black cross insignia of the Luftwaffe, the German air force during the Second World War, and the abstract paintings of the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian. In particular, this drawing is based on a series of works by Mondrian from 1914–15, entitled <i>Jetty and Ocean</i>. For Mondrian the balance of horizontal and vertical symbolised a mystical harmony. An opponent of the Nazis, Mondrian’s work was condemned as ‘degenerate’. As Germany threatened Europe, he realised that his life was in danger and fled to London and later New York.</p><p><em>Gallery label, July 2008</em></p>
paper print lithograph
Luftwaffe - After Mondrian
image: 418 × 531 mm
Bequeathed by David Brown in memory of Mrs Liza Brown 2003
<p>Finlay makes a visual pun between the black cross insignia of the Luftwaffe, the German air force during the Second World War, and the <a class="glossarylinktopopup" data-gtm-destination="article-page" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/a/abstract-art" title="Glossary definition for 'Abstract art'"><span>abstract</span></a> <a class="glossarylinktopopup" data-gtm-destination="article-page" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/p/painting" title="Glossary definition for 'Painting'"><span>paintings</span></a> of the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian. In particular, this <a class="glossarylinktopopup" data-gtm-destination="article-page" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/d/drawing" title="Glossary definition for 'Drawing'"><span>drawing</span></a> is based on a series of works by Mondrian from 1914–15, entitled <i>Jetty and Ocean</i>. For Mondrian the balance of horizontal and vertical <a class="glossarylinktopopup" data-gtm-destination="article-page" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/s/symbolism" title="Glossary definition for 'Symbolism'"><span>symbolised</span></a> a mystical harmony. An opponent of the Nazis, Mondrian’s work was condemned as ‘<a class="glossarylinktopopup" data-gtm-destination="article-page" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/d/degenerate-art" title="Glossary definition for 'Degenerate art'"><span>degenerate</span></a>’. As Germany threatened Europe, he realised that his life was in danger and fled to London and later New York.</p>

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2008-07-30T00:00:00
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abstraction cross fine art and design, named works geometric inscriptions Mondrian, Piet, paintings non-representational objects symbols and personifications title of work