Mehling '77 BA 1 original signed abstract watercolour with gold embellishments
Hofheim: 1977. Original watercolour on handmade paper - in pen, ink, and gold dust paint. This abstract work is in earthy green and brown tones, with black backwash. There are calligraphic elements reminiscent of the aesthetics of East Asian characters. This illegible writing conveys the impression of poetry or musical scores. Mehling felt that Arabic or Asian writing becomes an aesthetic experience when one can't read it, so he used this concept often in his works of Informalism. All Mehling's work remained untitled, though the works do state the year of origin, usually the month and often the techniques used. This work was done in January 1977. As Mehling was also a pharmacist in his earlier years, he enjoyed experimenting with mixing his own paints, pigments and inks. An original by "the German master of the small format" (Haudenschild + Laubscher 1968). In gold colour wooden frame, under glass, with heavy white mount. Signed in pen to bottom right.
Frame: 320 x 375 mm (12½ x 14¾ inches). Visible art: 120 mm x 175 mm.