Komposition (Zusammensetzung) by Fritz Kothe

This artwork is a black and white lithograph titled 'Komposition' (Composition) by the German artist Fritz Kothe (1916–2005). The print measures 22.5 x 24 cm and presents a high-contrast, graphic style characteristic of Kothe's post-war aesthetic, which often blended elements of Pop Art and New Objectivity (Neue Sachlichkeit). The composition features a fragmented montage of imagery: on the left, a circular motif resembling a traffic or industrial sign; on the right, the lower profile of a human face showing a nose and lips, paired with flowing, textured hair below. The contrast between rigid industrial shapes and organic human features is a recurring theme in Kothe's work. It is rendered in deep black ink on off-white paper. Notably, the piece is hand-signed by the artist in the lower right margin in pencil. The condition appears to be good with clean edges and strong ink saturation, though there is light evidence of age-related toning to the paper. The craftsmanship reflects professional printmaking techniques, with clean lines and intentional negative space used to define form. As Kothe was a significant figure in the Berlin artistic scene, this piece represents a classic example of mid-to-late 20th-century German graphic art.