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Rhythm of Bird Flight

A work made of oil on canvas, mounted on board.

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  • A work made of oil on canvas, mounted on board.

Date:

1935

Artist:

Erika Giovanna Klien
Austrian, 1900-1957

About this artwork

In Rhythm of Bird Flight Erika Giovanna Klien transformed a brightly feathered bird and its dynamic flight into an image of subtle harmony and vibrancy. Based in Austria throughout her early career, Klien was a leading artist associated with Viennese Kineticism, an avant-garde movement whose members were known for their abstract pictures based on familiar objects seen in motion. When the artist emigrated to New York in 1929, she continued to work in this style, making images of modern machines, such as an egg beater and a meat grinder. Unlike Klien’s work that focuses on patternsproduced mechanically, this painting takes inspiration from the natural world.

Status

On View, Gallery 392

Department

Modern Art

Artist

Erika Giovanna Klien

Title

Rhythm of Bird Flight

Place

Austria (Artist's nationality:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1935

Medium

Oil on canvas, mounted on board

Dimensions

76 × 51 cm (29 15/16 × 20 1/16 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Dr. Berthe Klien

Reference Number

1974.408

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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