The artwork titled “Bathtub,” created by Joseph Beuys between 1960 and 1977 in Munich, Germany, is an exemplar of the Neo-Dada movement. The composition, measuring 86 x 102 cm, integrates mediums such as enamel, fat, copper, paint, and objet trouvé (found objects). This assemblage is located at Lenbachhaus in Munich, Germany, and is categorized as an object installation.
The artwork comprises a vintage, white enamel bathtub elevated on a stand. Evident throughout the bathtub are brownish patches, seemingly formed from a type of adhesive or repair material. The interactive materials, including copper pipes and the faucet, accentuate the utilitarian nature of the piece. Beuys’ incorporation of diverse elements—enamel, fat, copper, and paint—positions this work within the Neo-Dada movement, which sought to blur the lines between art and everyday life. This work encapsulates the artist’s philosophical perspectives on transformation, regeneration, and the intrinsic artistic value found in ordinary objects.
