New York City I, (1941) by Piet Mondrian.
According to German art historian and curator Susanne Meyer-Buser, that is, indeed the case.
At a press conference for theMondrian.
“New York City I,” (1941) by Piet Mondrian. Oil and paper on canvas (© Mondrian/Holtzman Trust, c/o Beeldrecht, Amsterdam, Holland, Kunstsammlung Nordrhein Westfalen, Düsseldorf, Photo: Walter Klein, Düsseldorf)
However, according to Meyer-Buser, that’s a mistake.
The thickening of the grid should be at the top, like a dark sky,saidMeyer-Buser.
Once I pointed it out to the other curators, we realized it was very obvious.
“Mondrian. Evolution,” installation view. (Photo: Achim Kukulies)
I am 100% certain the picture is the wrong way around.
Could it be that the orientation shown in the photo is the actual one Mondrian had intended?
There, the thick gathering of tape sits at the top of the artwork.
So how did it happen that Mondrian’s art wasn’t hung as he intended?
This still remains a mystery.
Evolution, installation view.
(Photo: Achim Kukulies)
Was it a mistake when someone removed the work from its box?
Was someone being sloppy when the work was in transit?
Its impossible to say.
He would have started with a crisp line at the top, moving his way down.
So, will the painting be flipped?
The answer is no.
The adhesive tapes are already extremely loose and hanging by a thread, Meyer-Buser said.
If you were to turn it upside down now, gravity would pull it into another direction.
And its now part of the works story.
