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The image displays an abstract arrangement of angular and jagged lines. At the top, a sharply pointed shape resembles a mountainous figure or cloak, with a centrally placed face. The lower part of the artwork shows clustered forms with triangular and diamond cut-outs, suggesting robed figures or a congregation. The black-and-white illustration uses high contrast to create a mysterious atmosphere, with familiar elements like eyes and geometric forms hinting at a symbolic gathering.
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Das Infernalische Abendmahl (The Infernal Last Supper) (in-text plate) from mock-up of Georg Heym: Umbra Vitae (Georg Heym: Shadow of Life)

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (German, 1880 - 1938)

and author Georg Heym (German, born Poland, 1887 - 1912)

printer Spamersche Buchdruckerei, Leipzig

publisher Kurt Wolff (German, 1887 - 1963)

1912/1922

Medium
woodcut from a bound volume with 51 woodcuts (including cover and front and back endpapers) on wove paper
Classification
Volume
Dimensions
book: 21.7 × 14.5 × 1.3 cm (8 9/16 × 5 11/16 × 1/2 in.)
Culture
German
Museum
National Gallery of Art, CG-W
Credit line
Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen
Rights
Public domain (NGA Open Access, CC0), as the museum states it.
Who can see it
Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed

View at the National Gallery of Art

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