Woman and Child (Frau und Kind)
Work on paper, watercolor painting • Emil Nolde (German-Danish, 1867–1956)
Style & Movement
German Expressionism (Die Brücke school characteristics)
Medium & Technique
Watercolor on absorbent Japanese paper using wet-on-wet technique to achieve blurred outlines and rich chromatic saturation
Creation Period
Circa 1930s to 1940s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 45 x 35 cm; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A double portrait featuring a woman and a young child in close proximity. The composition utilizes symbolic color use, with deep blues and vivid reds contrasted against sallow yellow skin tones. The figures exhibit a primitive, emotional intensity characteristic of Nolde’s focus on the human psyche and raw emotion.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good; the paper appears to have typical undulations common to the thin Japanese paper Nolde favored.
Estimated Market Value
$150,000 - $300,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$120,000 - $250,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely from a private collection or German estate; Nolde's watercolors often remained in Germany due to his 'degenerate art' status during the Nazi regime.
Art Historical Significance
Nolde is a preeminent figure in German Expressionism. This work exemplifies his 'unpainted pictures' (Ungemalte Bilder) period or similar stylistic explorations where he used watercolor to circumvent more visible oil painting during his professional ban.
Notable Features
Signature 'Nolde' visible in the lower left corner. The bleeding of colors at the edges of the figures is a signature technical mark of the artist's specific watercolor methodology.
Condition Issues
Slight rippling of the paper; potential light fading of organic pigments (common for this medium); paper edges appear slightly uneven as part of the original support.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain strictly UV-filtered glazing (Museum Glass); keep in a climate-controlled environment with humidity between 45-55%; avoid placement in direct sunlight to prevent pigment degradation.