Object Details
Artist
Max Reyher, born Berlin, Germany 1862-died Belmar, NJ 1945
Luce Center Label
In Buddhist and Hindu traditions, Nirvana is the ultimate liberation, a state of existence free from all suffering or desire. This painting, however, suggests that the artist did not think his own end would be quite so peaceful. The hovering vulture, falling figure, and melting sun painted in somber colors express the sense of desperation that the German poet Ernst Eckstein described in a poem: "And lonely sounds in the endless space/ The Song of everlasting dead" (Sidney Janis, They Taught Themselves, 1942).
Luce Object Quote
"The Nirwana picture is freedom from all condition of existence. Nirwana is the shore of salvation for those who are in danger of being drowned in life's confusion." Max Reyher, quoted in Sidney Janis, They Taught Themselves, 1942
Credit Line
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson
Date
1928
Object number
1986.65.136
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Type
Painting
Folk Art
Medium
oil on wood
Dimensions
15 5/8 x 19 3/4 in. (39.7 x 50.2 cm)
See more items in
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department
Painting and Sculpture
On View
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor, 22B
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor
Data Source
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Topic
Animal\bird
Landscape\imaginary
Allegory\religion\salvation
Literature\Eckstein\Nirwana
Link to Original Record
Record ID
saam_1986.65.136