“Brightly-Lit Stag Chair” by Joseph Beuys, created between 1957 and 1971, is a striking piece that forms part of the Neo-Dada art movement. This figurative artwork, executed through collage and pencil on paper, measures 14 by 10 centimeters. Currently housed in the Tate Modern in London, UK, this piece showcases the artist’s distinctive approach to blending the ordinary with the abstract.
The artwork presents a stylized representation of a chair, depicted in minimalist black shapes against a stark, neutral background. The chair is characterized by organic, flowing lines that suggest the limbs and form of a stag, merging the functional object with the natural world. The use of simplified, abstract forms evokes a sense of both elegance and whimsy, inviting the viewer to engage with the interplay between design and the naturalistic imagery. The upper section features a black shape akin to an abstract silhouette, possibly suggesting an ethereal or symbolic element that complements the chair structure below. The juxtaposition of these two forms within the artwork creates a balanced yet thought-provoking visual experience that reflects Beuys’ innovative and transformative artistic vision.
