7339 - Merz, Gerhard

Merz, Gerhard Inferno Offset on glass, in an artist’s frame. 1988. 177 x 112 cm. Against a reflective, deep-black surface, flames in bright shades of white rise vertically toward the center of the image. The title “Inferno” evokes Dante’s literary hell. The reflections in the background cause the surroundings to merge with the work—which was created based on a photograph—so that the viewer inevitably sees themselves and their surroundings within the “fire.” This creates a fascinating interplay between the artwork and the viewer. Gerhard Merz’s works often feature a fusion of architecture and painting, in which the space itself becomes an integral part of the art. His works are frequently site-specific installations conceived architecturally, in which he establishes connections to literary and art history as well as to political history. Merz participated in documenta a total of four times, and his works are represented in major public collections, including the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, the Museum Ludwig in Cologne, and the Haus der Kunst in Munich. Provenance: Christie’s, London, auction October 26, 1995, Lot 109 Private collection, Berlin - Please ask for condition reports for individual lots, as the condition is usually not mentioned in the catalog. - Please ask for condition reports for individual lots, as the condition is usually not mentioned in the catalog.