Graphite on cardboard
Tate Collection
Works with images
General Collection
ARTIST ROOMS
National Heritage Memorial Fund
Art Fund
Collection
<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>
Actress
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
actor
adults
arts and entertainment
bracelet
clothing and personal items
female
nudes
objects
people
woman
work and occupations
paper unique graphite cardboard
Actress
support: 568 × 208 mm
frame: 936 × 638 × 40 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>The subject of this drawing, the actress, recalls Beuys's drawings of the 1950s where women appeared frequently in the guise of actresses or sometimes witches. At that time, the women were shown as intangible, almost mythical figures. Here, however, the figure has been drawn in more detail, with the face individualised to a greater extent than previously seen. Her bracelets and the tool in her hand suggest a tribal association but also stress the active side of the female principle. Yet Beuys still keeps her within the confines of a narrow triangle, showing her without context and unable to interact with the rest of the world.</p>

Online caption
2009-04-16T00:00:00
online-caption
ONLINE_CAPTION
actor adults arts and entertainment bracelet clothing and personal items female nudes objects people woman work and occupations