Accession Number1948/1.424
TitleThe Lord's Prayer, sheet 2 - Our Father Who Art in Heaven (Das Vaterunser - Vater Unser Der Du bist im Himmel)
Artist(s)Max PechsteinObject Creation Date1921Medium & Supportwoodcut with hand-coloring on paperDimensions 23 ½ in x 16 ¼ in (59.69 cm x 41.28 cm);28 ⅛ in x 22 in (71.44 cm x 55.88 cm)
Credit LineMuseum PurchaseSubject matterPechstein's "The Lord's Prayer" series of woodcuts mixes the text of the prayer with images of human wretchedness and spiritual need that draw on the Christian tradition to comment directly on the suffering and despair experienced by many Germans in the aftermath of the First World War and the economic crisis that followed.
This sheet of the portffolio depicts God in his radiant power and glory.
Physical DescriptionA large central figure represents God towers seen in the radiating rays of light and clouds that surround him.. On the forehead of his blocky, totemic head is a third eye. His left arm crosses over his middle and holds fire. His right hand extends down to the lower right corner as reaching down. The words "Vater Unser" are at the very top; "Der Du Bist" across God's waistline; "im Himmel" along the bottom.
Primary Object ClassificationPrintCollection AreaModern and ContemporaryRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
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Keywords
Expressionism
Expressionist (style)
gods (dieties)
hands
modern and contemporary art
portfolios (groups of works)
prayers (documents)
rays
woodcuts (prints)