William Gropper

Catastrophe
1965

A black and white etching depicting a chaotic scene with a central figure of a horse in motion, surrounded by various abstract and fragmented elements including wheels, ladders, and indistinct shapes, suggesting a sense of turmoil or destruction. The artwork is signed and numbered in the bottom margin.
A black and white etching depicting a chaotic scene with a central figure of a horse in motion, surrounded by various abstract and fragmented elements including wheels, ladders, and indistinct shapes, suggesting a sense of turmoil or destruction. The artwork is signed and numbered in the bottom margin.

Not on view

Date
1965

Classification
Prints

Medium
Etching

Dimensions
Sheet: 18 1/2 × 22in. (47 × 55.9 cm) Plate: 11 3/4 × 15 1/2in. (29.9 × 39.4 cm)

Accession number
66.62.2

Edition
18/100

Publication
Printed by Emiliano Sorini; published by Associated American Artists

Credit line
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of Associated American Artists

Rights and reproductions
© artist or artist’s estate

API
artworks/4277

Part of a series:
Twelve Etchings
12 works

A black and white etching depicting a chaotic scene with a central figure of a horse in motion, surrounded by various abstract and fragmented elements including wheels, ladders, and indistinct shapes, suggesting a sense of turmoil or destruction. The artwork is signed and numbered in the bottom margin.
This is an etching of two men engaged in a game of chess. The man on the left, with a hand on his chest, is smoking a cigarette and looking skeptically at his opponent, while the man on the right, also smoking, is hunched over with a focused expression. The chessboard is situated between them on a simple table, with a few pieces visible on the board. There are scattered cigarette butts and an open matchbox on the table. The scene is sketched with expressive lines and shading, conveying a tense atmosphere of concentration and competition.
A sketch of a man reclining comfortably in a chair with his legs crossed, holding a drink in his right hand. The man appears to be relaxed or possibly asleep. There's a piece of paper with writing on the floor beside him. The artwork has a textured background and is numbered 19/100 at the bottom left, with a signature at the bottom right.
A whimsical black and white illustration featuring a forlorn waiter balancing a large tray on his head, which holds an assortment of bottles, a glass, and a plate with a piece of cheese and a slice of bread. To the right, a figure floats above a chaotic pile of chairs and a music stand, while an empty ornate chair stands out to the left. The artwork has a dreamlike, surreal quality.
A black and white etching of a reclining woman draped in sheer fabric, with detailed lace embellishments on her dress. She has a relaxed pose with one hand behind her head and a direct gaze towards the viewer. The artwork has a vintage or classical style, and there are numbers and a signature at the bottom of the print.
A whimsical etching featuring a chaotic assembly of characters and animals in a surreal setting. Anthropomorphic figures, including a frog playing a drum, a bird with a human face, and a donkey carrying books, interact with human characters in various odd activities. The scene is infused with a sense of motion and absurdity, rendered in a sepia-toned ink.
A sepia-toned etching depicting a fisherman repairing a net, with a beached rowboat and the sea in the background. The fisherman is seated, wearing a hat and overalls, and is focused on his work. The image has a number 13/100 in the bottom left corner and a signature in the bottom right corner.
This is an etching of a surreal scene with multiple caricatured faces and objects. A large, central figure with a prominent chin and a suit sits at a table with a wine glass and an open book. To the left, a series of smaller, floating heads and household items, such as a teapot and a slice of pie, appear to be served on platters. The background suggests an outdoor setting with foliage. The artwork has a signature at the bottom right and is numbered at the bottom left.
This is an etching of a chaotic scene with four figures and a horse. The horse and two of the figures appear to be in a state of distress or conflict, with one figure seemingly being trampled. Another figure is playing a violin, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil. The background features a toppled structure with scattered blocks, adding to the sense of disarray. The artwork is numbered and signed by the artist.
This is an etching of a chaotic street scene with exaggerated figures, including people pushing carts, a figure climbing a pole, and another carrying a sign that says "LUNCH." The artwork has a sketch-like quality with rough lines and is numbered 18/100, signed by the artist in the lower right corner.

William Gropper
77 works in the collection

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