Label TextMetapsychical Landscape comes from a series of works Dubuffet referred to as “momentary places.” Rather than rendering a traditional image of the landscape, he chose instead to present a vision of abstract, organic matter that seems to vibrate with physical and emotional energy. Dubuffet created the painting’s coarse texture with several techniques, including using turpentine on freshly painted areas and scraping the work’s surface with a knife. This achieved “effects that resemble abraded skin.” Realism is not completely abandoned; the painting has a discernible horizon line and the rough surface can be seen as a cross section of the earth. The irregularity and uncertainty of the landscape’s surface give it a sense of movement as well as psychological depth.
Exhibition History"SurrealitätBildrealität, 1924—1974: In den unzähligen Bildern des Lebens," Städtische Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, December 8, 1974—February 2, 1975
"Jean Dubuffet: A Retrospective," The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum of Art, Apr. 26 - July 29, 1973; Grand Palais, Sept. 27 - Dec. 20, 1973
"Dubuffet and the Anticulture," Richard L. Feigen & Co., Nov. 25 - Jan. 3, 1970
"Documenta III," Galerie Beyeler, Kassel, Reg. Nr.557121, Jun 28, 1964 – Oct 6, 1964
"Collezione Thompson di Pittsburgh," Galleria Civica D'Arte Moderna - Torino, October - November 1961
"Thompson Collection," Kunsthaus, Zurich (October 15 - November 27, 1960); Kunstmuseum, Düsseldorf (December 14, 1960 - January 29, 1961); and Gemeentemuseum, The Hague (February 17 - April 9, 1961)
Published ReferencesAN UNCOMMON VISION: THE DES MOINES ART CENTER, Des Moines Art Center, 1998, ref. p.104, color ill. p.105
Exhibition History"SurrealitätBildrealität, 1924—1974: In den unzähligen Bildern des Lebens," Städtische Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, December 8, 1974—February 2, 1975
"Jean Dubuffet: A Retrospective," The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum of Art, Apr. 26 - July 29, 1973; Grand Palais, Sept. 27 - Dec. 20, 1973
"Dubuffet and the Anticulture," Richard L. Feigen & Co., Nov. 25 - Jan. 3, 1970
"Documenta III," Galerie Beyeler, Kassel, Reg. Nr.557121, Jun 28, 1964 – Oct 6, 1964
"Collezione Thompson di Pittsburgh," Galleria Civica D'Arte Moderna - Torino, October - November 1961
"Thompson Collection," Kunsthaus, Zurich (October 15 - November 27, 1960); Kunstmuseum, Düsseldorf (December 14, 1960 - January 29, 1961); and Gemeentemuseum, The Hague (February 17 - April 9, 1961)
Published ReferencesAN UNCOMMON VISION: THE DES MOINES ART CENTER, Des Moines Art Center, 1998, ref. p.104, color ill. p.105
DimensionsFrame: 52 3/4 × 65 5/16 in. (134 × 165.9 cm)
Canvas: 51 1/2 × 64 in. (130.8 × 162.6 cm)
Image (visible): 50 15/16 × 60 1/2 in. (129.4 × 153.7 cm)
Canvas: 51 1/2 × 64 in. (130.8 × 162.6 cm)
Image (visible): 50 15/16 × 60 1/2 in. (129.4 × 153.7 cm)
Accession Number 1998.1
Classificationspainting
CopyrightARS
SignedJ. dubuffett '52 (u,l)
InscriptionsPaysage métapsychique
J. Dubuffet
décembre 52 (verso u,l)
ProvenanceArtist. G. David Thompson, Pittsburgh [acquired by 1960]. Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Feigen, Bedford, NY [acquired by 1969]; Melva Bucksbaum, Des Moines [acquired by 1989]; Des Moines Art Center [gift of the previous, 1998]
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot
ca. 1857
