Werner Knaupp’s oeuvre, which spans more than 50 years, is characterized by different groups of works that follow one another in cycles and each span several years. The individual creative periods differ both thematically and in terms of the materials used, in some cases very clearly. To date, Knaupp has created ballpoint pen drawings (1968 to 1975), charcoal drawings, gouaches, ash paintings, iron sculptures, pastels, acrylic paintings and photographs. Many of Werner Knaupp’s works are based on existential experiences he has had while traveling and in borderline human situations.

Ballpoint pen in blue and black over tempera on hardboard covered with canvas. 1971. Signed “W. Knaupp”, dated, titled, with the dimensions and the work number “32/71” in black fiber-tip pen on the reverse of the panel.

A fine web of delicate ballpoint pen lines lies cloudy over the delicately toned ground. Knaupp trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Nuremberg. The present work was probably created during his time as a visiting professor in Karlsruhe from 1970 to 1971.