Ulfert Wilke
ULFERT WILKE "HORIZON" WATERCOLOR, 1979
Ulfert Wilke (1907-1987) was a German-American painter known internationally for his calligraphic creations and association with Abstract Impressionism.
Born in Bavaria, Wilke immigrated to America in 1938. In addition to his renowned artistic practice, Wilke earned a reputation as an avid art collector, professor, museum director/curator and calligrapher.
Wilke's artistic output is best known for his lyrical abstractions inspired by calligraphy.
On first glance, this works appears to be contemporary, or at least late 20th century and heavily influenced by tagging / graffiti art.
While graffiti emerged in the late 1960's in Philadelphia, it didn't really gel until the mid 1980's in urban centers, notably New York City.
Remarkably this work was created by a seventy-year old man, likely far physically and spiritually, from graffiti's nuclei.
Written languages were Wilke's most significant muse. Much of his art features his abstract interpretations of the shapes, meanings, and colors that he found across various languages and forms. Poetry and ancient engravings from Asia and the Middle East served as key inspirations to his abstractions. He typically worked in watercolor, ink, and/or acrylic.
Like the best of Wilke's art, this vibrant and dynamic watercolor features an abstract, non-lettered composition inspired by calligraphic writing. In signature Wilke style, the calligraphic elements form rhythmic clusters unifying to become a single figure.
Today Wilke's work can be found in the permanent collections of internationally renowned institutions like the Guggenheim (NYC), the Whitney (NYC), LACMA (LA), and the Museum of Tel Aviv among many others.
Click here to see another fine work on paper by Ulfert Wilke.
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"Untitled" (Horizon)
USA, 1979
Watercolor and ink on paper
Signed with artists mark and dated
20"W 14"H (work)
Very good condition.
Note: this work is sold unframed
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