Accession Number
1987/2.9

Title
Bern Series

Artist(s)
Robert Natkin

Artist Nationality
American (North American)

Object Creation Date
1977-1987

Medium & Support
drawing on paper

Dimensions
37 7/8 in x 58 1/16 in (96.2 cm x 147.48 cm);46 1/4 in x 66 1/4 in x 1 3/8 in (117.48 cm x 168.28 cm x 3.49 cm)

Credit Line
A Gift from Allan and Deborah Schmier

Subject matter
Robert Natkin's greatist artistic influence was Paul Klee. Natkin's Bern series was inspired by his 1977 trip to Bern, Switzerland, where he spent time at the Paul Klee Foundation. He was particularly drawn to that artist’s virtuosity with color, light, and surface. In his and Klee's work, forms are scattered across the surface and usually embedded beneath soft, modulated veils of light and texture. Natkin often used textiles, such as netting, to create texture in his paintings, and it appears that he used that technique in this work. 

In 1945, at 14 or 15 years old, Natkin decided he wanted to become an artist. In 1948 he began studying at the Art School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Natkin was influenced by Post-Impressionist paintings and Abstract Expressionism (specifically William de Kooning) as well as Paul Klee.

Physical Description
This abstract drawing looks like it is on a golden yellow paper with washes of soft colors such as light pink, red, green, and blue. The washes have a texture like netting, and there are various shapes in the drawing such as a C, a circle, and a squiggle. 

Primary Object Classification
Drawing

Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
Abstract (fine arts style)
Russian-American (culture)
abstraction
modern and contemporary art
multicolored
net (textile)
texture (artistic concept)