Machine in a Void: World War I & the Graphic Arts

Exhibition

Stephen Goddard, curator

March 4, 2010–May 30, 2010

Kress Gallery, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

Several years in the making, the Spencer-organized Machine in a Void will present nearly 150 works of graphic art made during the years of the First World War (1914-1918), with a post-script on the art of the decade following the war. By invoking the perspective of primarily European artists, the exhibition will bring attention to the substantial roles played by the graphic arts during WWI (1914-1918) as a tool for official propaganda and as means of voicing individual responses to the war ranging from documentation to dissent.

Machine in a Void is made possible by the generous support of the Breidenthal-Snyder Foundation.

The genesis of the exhibition stems from the Spencer’s acquisition of a rare and extensive treatment of the war by Belgian artist Henry de Groux in the form of nearly 50 etchings. These proofs and trial prints were preparatory to a portfolio, Le Visage de la Victoire (The Face of Victory). In his introduction to the printed series, de Groux wrote of the war as an “undeniable and colossal absurdity, like a machine functioning in a void,” an “opulent excess of perfect horror.” The Spencer’s exhibition derives its title from de Groux’s evocative expression. The central goal of the exhibition is to identify and give voice to those artists who, through their work during and shortly after WWI, renounced specific national concerns to articulate a more transcendent vision. These uncommon voices will be exhibited along with mainstream nationalistic and propagandistic works.

The exhibition will be largely drawn from the permanent collection of the Spencer Museum of Art, and will include material that may provoke discussions of the rise of ironic and ambivalent attitudes toward war, the defenselessness of innocents in the face of modern war machines, the use of the graphic arts to promote official government attitudes, and the role of mechanized warfare within the dystopian idea of the Machine Age. The Spencer's collections are rich in works from France, Belgium and Germany and the exhibited artists include Otto Dix, Kerr Eby, George Grosz, Jules de Bruycker, Henry de Groux, André Devambez, Erich Heckel, Henri Ibels, Jean-Emile Laboureur, Karl Maes, Maxime Maufra, Ludwig Meidner, Robert Michel, Johannes Molzahn, Karl Schmidt-Rotluff, Georg Scholz, Max Slevogt, Edmond van Dooren, and, Jean Veber.

Stephen Goddard, senior curator of prints & drawings, is organizing the exhibition following a sabbatical spent primarily in Germany and a fellowship at the Wolfsonian-Florida International University-one of the world’s great repositories for WWI-era material culture. In conjunction with the exhibition, the Spencer will offer programming that involves the campus and the community, including curricular initiatives at KU, a film/book series, children’s art classes, and social networking. A catalogue is planned.

Exhibition images

Works of art

Journée de l'Armée d'Afrique et des Troupes Coloniales (African Army and Colonial Troops Day), Lucien Jonas; Devambez Printers — Lucien Jonas; Devambez Printers

Journée de l'Armée d'Afrique et des Troupes Coloniales (African Army and Colonial Troops Day), 1917

Journée serbe, 25 Juin 1916 (Serbia Day, June 25 1916), Pierre Mourgue — Pierre Mourgue

Journée serbe, 25 Juin 1916 (Serbia Day, June 25 1916), 1916

The American Ambulance in Russia, World War I, A. Maksimov — A. Maksimov

The American Ambulance in Russia, World War I, 1916 (poster), 1918 (English texts added)

Le Cardinal Mercier Protège Belgique (Cardinal Mercier Protecting Belgium), Charles Dominique Fouqueray — Charles Dominique Fouqueray

Le Cardinal Mercier Protège Belgique (Cardinal Mercier Protecting Belgium), 1916

Journée Du Poilu--Organiseé Par Le Parlement (Day of the Infantryman--Organized by Parliament), Francisque Poulbot — Francisque Poulbot

Journée Du Poilu--Organiseé Par Le Parlement (Day of the Infantryman--Organized by Parliament), 1915

Self-portrait, Albert Bloch — Albert Bloch

Self-portrait, 1913

Gefangen (Prisoners of War), George Grosz — George Grosz

Gefangen (Prisoners of War), 1915

self-portraits, Otto Dix — Otto Dix

self-portraits, 1914

Self-portrait, Max Beckmann — Max Beckmann

Self-portrait, 1922

untitled (self-portrait), Lovis Corinth — Lovis Corinth

untitled (self-portrait), 1919

Composition, Johannes Itten — Johannes Itten

Composition, 1917

Figure Facing Left, Oskar Schlemmer — Oskar Schlemmer

Figure Facing Left, 1923

Reitschule (Riding School), Franz Marc — Franz Marc

Reitschule (Riding School), 1913

Harvey Muenzenmayer, Fort Riley, Jon Blumb; Joseph Judd Pennell — Jon Blumb; Joseph Judd Pennell

Harvey Muenzenmayer, Fort Riley, 1918

untitled, László Moholy-Nagy — László Moholy-Nagy

untitled, 1921

Posten (Sentry), El Lissitzky — El Lissitzky

Posten (Sentry), 1923

Kleine Welten VI (Small Worlds VI), Vassily Kandinsky — Vassily Kandinsky

Kleine Welten VI (Small Worlds VI), 1922

Ieperen de Slechte Maere (Ypres--the Grim Reaper), Jules de Bruycker — Jules de Bruycker

Ieperen de Slechte Maere (Ypres--the Grim Reaper), 1916

MEZ (Mitteleuropaische Zeit) No. 2 [CET (Central European Time) No. 2], Robert Michel — Robert Michel

MEZ (Mitteleuropaische Zeit) No. 2 [CET (Central European Time) No. 2], 1919–1920

Disarmament, Daniel Chester French — Daniel Chester French

Disarmament, 1918

The Tube Staircase, Cyril Edward Power — Cyril Edward Power

The Tube Staircase, 1929

Kopf (Self-portrait), Max Kaus — Max Kaus

Kopf (Self-portrait), 1920

Portrait of György Bàlint, Miklós Farkasházy — Miklós Farkasházy

Portrait of György Bàlint, 1926

Klingen (Sound), Johannes Molzahn — Johannes Molzahn

Klingen (Sound), 1919

Nelly I, Otto Dix — Otto Dix

Nelly I, 1923–1924

September 13, 1918, St. Mihiel, Kerr Eby — Kerr Eby

September 13, 1918, St. Mihiel, 1934

untitled (In the trenches), Otto Dix — Otto Dix

untitled (In the trenches), circa 1916

untitled (flooded craters), Otto Dix — Otto Dix

untitled (flooded craters), circa 1916

Sonderblatt der Ausgabe A: Kopf Palmströms (Palmström's head), Hans Windisch — Hans Windisch

Sonderblatt der Ausgabe A: Kopf Palmströms (Palmström's head), 1920

Blatt 1: Bildhauerisches (Sculptural), Hans Windisch — Hans Windisch

Blatt 1: Bildhauerisches (Sculptural), 1920

Blatt 2: Der Werwolf (The Werewolf), Hans Windisch — Hans Windisch

Blatt 2: Der Werwolf (The Werewolf), 1920

Blatt 3: Der Traum der Magd (The Maid), Hans Windisch — Hans Windisch

Blatt 3: Der Traum der Magd (The Maid), 1920

Blatt 4: Himmel und Erde (Heaven and Earth), Hans Windisch — Hans Windisch

Blatt 4: Himmel und Erde (Heaven and Earth), 1920

Blatt 5: Die unmögliche Tatsache (The Unlikely Fact), Hans Windisch — Hans Windisch

Blatt 5: Die unmögliche Tatsache (The Unlikely Fact), 1920

Blatt 6: Die Mausefalle (The Mousetrap), Hans Windisch — Hans Windisch

Blatt 6: Die Mausefalle (The Mousetrap), 1920

Blatt 7: Das Gebet (The Prayer), Hans Windisch — Hans Windisch

Blatt 7: Das Gebet (The Prayer), 1920

Blatt 8: Die Kugeln (crumpled-paper balls), Hans Windisch — Hans Windisch

Blatt 8: Die Kugeln (crumpled-paper balls), 1920

Blatt 9: Der Wasseresel (The Seahorse), Hans Windisch — Hans Windisch

Blatt 9: Der Wasseresel (The Seahorse), 1920

Blatt 10: Sophie, die Henkersmagd (Sophie, the Executioner's Mate), Hans Windisch — Hans Windisch

Blatt 10: Sophie, die Henkersmagd (Sophie, the Executioner's Mate), 1920

La Fête-Dieu à Paris (Corpus Christi in Paris), Jean Louis Forain — Jean Louis Forain

La Fête-Dieu à Paris (Corpus Christi in Paris), circa 1917

Trauernde am Strand (Mourners on a Beach), Karl Schmidt-Rottluff — Karl Schmidt-Rottluff

Trauernde am Strand (Mourners on a Beach), 1914

The Illustration of the Great European War No. 15, Tanaka Ryōzō; Shōbidō — Tanaka Ryōzō; Shōbidō

The Illustration of the Great European War No. 15, 1914, Taisho period (1912–1926)

Laissons la d’abord donner a boire, nous la tuerons après (Let Her First Give Him a Drink, We Will Kill Her Afterward), Francisque Poulbot — Francisque Poulbot

Laissons la d’abord donner a boire, nous la tuerons après (Let Her First Give Him a Drink, We Will Kill Her Afterward), 1914–1918

Le Débuché (The Release), Jean Veber — Jean Veber

Le Débuché (The Release), 1914

La Brute est lâchée (The Brute is Let Loose), Jean Veber — Jean Veber

La Brute est lâchée (The Brute is Let Loose), 1914

Marmites-pots des fleurs-pruneaux…etc. (Pots, Flowerpots, Plums, etc.), Jean Veber — Jean Veber

Marmites-pots des fleurs-pruneaux…etc. (Pots, Flowerpots, Plums, etc.), 1914

Le Petit Poucet (Hop O'My Thumb), C. Cousin — C. Cousin

Le Petit Poucet (Hop O'My Thumb), 1914–1918

le concert au front (The Concert at the Front), Lucien Laforge — Lucien Laforge

le concert au front (The Concert at the Front), 1914–1918

l’espion (The Spy), Lucien Laforge — Lucien Laforge

l’espion (The Spy), 1914–1918

le cuistot (The Cook), Lucien Laforge — Lucien Laforge

le cuistot (The Cook), 1914–1918

L’Insomnie du Kaiser (The Kaiser's Insomnia), Henri Gabriel Ibels — Henri Gabriel Ibels

L’Insomnie du Kaiser (The Kaiser's Insomnia), 1914

L’antechrist perda sa couronne et mourra dans la solitude et la démence (The Antichrist Will Lose His Crown and Will Die in Loneliness and Insanity), Henri Gabriel Ibels — Henri Gabriel Ibels

L’antechrist perda sa couronne et mourra dans la solitude et la démence (The Antichrist Will Lose His Crown and Will Die in Loneliness and Insanity), 1914

Le Coup de Massue du l’un (One Knock-down Blow), Félix Jules Lacaille — Félix Jules Lacaille

Le Coup de Massue du l’un (One Knock-down Blow), 1914–1918

Le Kaiser Prend Le Commandement Des Armées Austro-Hongroises & Allemandes (The Kaiser Takes Command of the Austro-Hungarian and German Armies), Emile Causé — Emile Causé

Le Kaiser Prend Le Commandement Des Armées Austro-Hongroises & Allemandes (The Kaiser Takes Command of the Austro-Hungarian and German Armies), 1914

Le Condomné (The Condemned), Joseph Sirat — Joseph Sirat

Le Condomné (The Condemned), 1916

Kultur (Culture), K. Wagner — K. Wagner

Kultur (Culture), 1914

Soldats masques (Masked Soldiers), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Soldats masques (Masked Soldiers), 1915

Les réserves (The Reserves), André Edouard Devambez — André Edouard Devambez

Les réserves (The Reserves), 1915–1917

DADA 4-5: Anthologie Dada, Tristan Tzara — Tristan Tzara

DADA 4-5: Anthologie Dada, 1919

Flüchtlinge aus Stallupönen (Refugees from Stallupönen), Richard von Below — Richard von Below

Flüchtlinge aus Stallupönen (Refugees from Stallupönen), 1914

untitled, Karl Maes — Karl Maes

untitled, 1922

Un schrapnell (Schrapnell), André Edouard Devambez — André Edouard Devambez

Un schrapnell (Schrapnell), 1915–1917

Le bouclier (The Shield), André Edouard Devambez — André Edouard Devambez

Le bouclier (The Shield), 1915–1917

L'espionne (The Spy), André Edouard Devambez — André Edouard Devambez

L'espionne (The Spy), 1915–1917

La pluie (The Rain), André Edouard Devambez — André Edouard Devambez

La pluie (The Rain), 1915–1917

Le froid (The Cold), André Edouard Devambez — André Edouard Devambez

Le froid (The Cold), 1915–1917

Les otages (The Hostages), André Edouard Devambez — André Edouard Devambez

Les otages (The Hostages), 1915–1917

Les trous d'obus (Shell Holes), André Edouard Devambez — André Edouard Devambez

Les trous d'obus (Shell Holes), 1915–1917

Gare la marmite! (Watch Out for the Big Shell!), André Edouard Devambez — André Edouard Devambez

Gare la marmite! (Watch Out for the Big Shell!), 1915–1917

Le charbon (Coal), André Edouard Devambez — André Edouard Devambez

Le charbon (Coal), 1915–1917

L'incendie (Fire), André Edouard Devambez — André Edouard Devambez

L'incendie (Fire), 1915–1917

Le fou (The Crazed Man), André Edouard Devambez — André Edouard Devambez

Le fou (The Crazed Man), 1915–1917

title page, André Edouard Devambez — André Edouard Devambez

title page, 1915–1917

Explosion, Otto Dix — Otto Dix

Explosion, 1918

Der Seiltänzer (Tightrope Walker), Paul Klee — Paul Klee

Der Seiltänzer (Tightrope Walker), 1923

Meduse (Medusa), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Meduse (Medusa), 1914

L'Eclipse (The Eclipse), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

L'Eclipse (The Eclipse), 1916

Le Chanteur des couers (The Singer of Hearts), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Le Chanteur des couers (The Singer of Hearts), 1914–1916

Les Drapeaux (The Flags), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Les Drapeaux (The Flags), 1914–1916

Le Guetteur (The Sentry), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Le Guetteur (The Sentry), 1914–1916

Aveugles (The Blind), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Aveugles (The Blind), 1914–1916

Les Voyants (The Seeing), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Les Voyants (The Seeing), 1914

Lux perpetua luceat eis (Let Perpetual Light Shine upon Them), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Lux perpetua luceat eis (Let Perpetual Light Shine upon Them), 1914–1916

Nullo odore cum Deis prodigae, Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Nullo odore cum Deis prodigae, 1914–1916

La Comète de la Guerre (21 Janvier 1913) [The Comet of War (21 January 1913)], Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

La Comète de la Guerre (21 Janvier 1913) [The Comet of War (21 January 1913)], 1914–1916

La Comète de la Guerre (The Comet of War), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

La Comète de la Guerre (The Comet of War), 1914–1916

Meduse, Esssai (Medusa, trial proof), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Meduse, Esssai (Medusa, trial proof), 1914

Avant l’inhumation (ou l’incineration) - Allemands Morts (Before the Burial (or The Incineration) - Dead Germans), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Avant l’inhumation (ou l’incineration) - Allemands Morts (Before the Burial (or The Incineration) - Dead Germans), 1914

Prisonniers fossoyeurs (Prisoner Gravediggers), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Prisonniers fossoyeurs (Prisoner Gravediggers), 1914–1916

Chevaliers errants (Knights Errant), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Chevaliers errants (Knights Errant), 1915?

Lacrymogène (Teargas), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Lacrymogène (Teargas), 1915

untitled (L’Aube) (untitled [The Dawn]), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

untitled (L’Aube) (untitled [The Dawn]), 1914–1916

Soud l’oeil divin (Beneath the Divine Eye), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Soud l’oeil divin (Beneath the Divine Eye), 1914–1915

Tranchée muette (Mute Trench), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Tranchée muette (Mute Trench), 1914–1916

Le retour au foyer (The Return Home), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Le retour au foyer (The Return Home), 1914–1916

Le mauvais image (The Evil Semblance), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Le mauvais image (The Evil Semblance), 1914–1916

Batteries detruites (Destroyed Batteries), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Batteries detruites (Destroyed Batteries), 1914 (1915?)

Le souffre-douleur ennemi (The Enemy Scapegoat), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Le souffre-douleur ennemi (The Enemy Scapegoat), 1914–1916

Combat à la grenade - ou “le concours des crapeaux” (Fight for the Grenade - or “The Beggars Brawl”), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Combat à la grenade - ou “le concours des crapeaux” (Fight for the Grenade - or “The Beggars Brawl”), 1914–1916

Le Petroleur (The Flamethrower), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Le Petroleur (The Flamethrower), 1914–1916

Indoux aux tranchées (Hindus in the Trenches), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Indoux aux tranchées (Hindus in the Trenches), 1914–1916

L’e[n]jeu du stratege (The Wager of Strategy), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

L’e[n]jeu du stratege (The Wager of Strategy), 1914–1916

Le soleil des morts (The Sun of the Dead), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Le soleil des morts (The Sun of the Dead), 1914–1916

Veillée de Captifs (Captives' Vigil), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Veillée de Captifs (Captives' Vigil), 1915

untitled, Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

untitled, 1914–1916

Le Veilleur (The Sentry), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Le Veilleur (The Sentry), 1914–1916

L’ancètre (The Ancestor), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

L’ancètre (The Ancestor), 1914–1916

Lanceur de granade (Grenade Thrower), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Lanceur de granade (Grenade Thrower), 1914–1916

Tranchée conquise (Conquered Trench), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Tranchée conquise (Conquered Trench), 1914–1916

Lanceur de granade (The Grenade Thrower), Henry de Groux — Henry de Groux

Lanceur de granade (The Grenade Thrower), 1914–1916

untitled (puppet maker and the heads of Europe), Urlich or Kukke? — Urlich or Kukke?

untitled (puppet maker and the heads of Europe), 1900s

Mann in der Ebene (Man on a Plain), Erich Heckel — Erich Heckel

Mann in der Ebene (Man on a Plain), 1917

Friedrichstrasse, George Grosz — George Grosz

Friedrichstrasse, 1918

Hinrichtung (Summary Execution), Georg Scholz — Georg Scholz

Hinrichtung (Summary Execution), 1921

Types de l'Armée Américaine en France (Types of the American Army in France), Jean-Émile Laboureur — Jean-Émile Laboureur

Types de l'Armée Américaine en France (Types of the American Army in France), 1918

Aus einem neuzeitlichen Totentanz (From a Modern Dance of Death), Ernst Barlach — Ernst Barlach

Aus einem neuzeitlichen Totentanz (From a Modern Dance of Death), 1916

Wem Zeit wie Ewigkeit und Ewigkeit wie Zeit, der ist befreit von allem Leid (If Time Was Like Eternity and Eternity Like Time, There Would Be Freedom From All Suffering), Ernst Barlach — Ernst Barlach

Wem Zeit wie Ewigkeit und Ewigkeit wie Zeit, der ist befreit von allem Leid (If Time Was Like Eternity and Eternity Like Time, There Would Be Freedom From All Suffering), 1916

Schlachtfeld (Battleground), Willy Jaeckel — Willy Jaeckel

Schlachtfeld (Battleground), 1915

Symbole der Zeit IX (Trommler) (Symbols of the Time IX (Drummer)), Max Slevogt — Max Slevogt

Symbole der Zeit IX (Trommler) (Symbols of the Time IX (Drummer)), 1916

Schwejk: “melde gehorsamst, daß ich blöd bin” (Schwejk:"Beg to report, I’m an idiot"), George Grosz — George Grosz

Schwejk: “melde gehorsamst, daß ich blöd bin” (Schwejk:"Beg to report, I’m an idiot"), 1928

Volkes Stimme (The Voice of the People), George Grosz — George Grosz

Volkes Stimme (The Voice of the People), 1928

Bitte recht freundlich (Please look friendly), George Grosz — George Grosz

Bitte recht freundlich (Please look friendly), 1928

Maul halten und weiter dienen (Shut Up and Do Your Duty), George Grosz — George Grosz

Maul halten und weiter dienen (Shut Up and Do Your Duty), 1928

Mir ist der Krieg wie eine Badekur bekommen (The War Did Me a Lot of Good, Like a Spa), George Grosz — George Grosz

Mir ist der Krieg wie eine Badekur bekommen (The War Did Me a Lot of Good, Like a Spa), 1928

Bald wieder: "je grausamer, je humaner." (Soon Again: "the More Cruel, the More Human"), George Grosz — George Grosz

Bald wieder: "je grausamer, je humaner." (Soon Again: "the More Cruel, the More Human"), 1928

cover wrapper, George Grosz — George Grosz

cover wrapper, 1928

Carnet d’un permissionnaire (Notebook of a Soldier on Leave), Guy Arnoux; Roger Boutet de Monvel — Guy Arnoux; Roger Boutet de Monvel

Carnet d’un permissionnaire (Notebook of a Soldier on Leave), 1917

Improvisatie (Improvisation), Edmond van Dooren — Edmond van Dooren

Improvisatie (Improvisation), 1920–1921

Le Zeppelin (The Zeppelin), Maxime Maufra — Maxime Maufra

Le Zeppelin (The Zeppelin), 1917

Les feux de nuit / dunes de Nieuport (Night Fires / Nieuport Dunes), Maxime Maufra — Maxime Maufra

Les feux de nuit / dunes de Nieuport (Night Fires / Nieuport Dunes), 1917

Le cimitière des fusillés-marins à Nieuport (Marine Cemetery at Nieuport), Maxime Maufra — Maxime Maufra

Le cimitière des fusillés-marins à Nieuport (Marine Cemetery at Nieuport), 1917

Après le bombardement (After the Bombardment), Maxime Maufra — Maxime Maufra

Après le bombardement (After the Bombardment), 1917

Dans la niege (In the Snow), Maxime Maufra — Maxime Maufra

Dans la niege (In the Snow), 1917

Poste avancé sur l'Yser (Outpost on the Yser), Maxime Maufra — Maxime Maufra

Poste avancé sur l'Yser (Outpost on the Yser), 1917

Torpillage du trois-mâts (Torpedoing of the Three-master), Maxime Maufra — Maxime Maufra

Torpillage du trois-mâts (Torpedoing of the Three-master), 1917

La route des Flandres (The Road to Flanders), Maxime Maufra — Maxime Maufra

La route des Flandres (The Road to Flanders), 1917

L'usine détruite - Nieuport (Ruined Factory, Nieuport), Maxime Maufra — Maxime Maufra

L'usine détruite - Nieuport (Ruined Factory, Nieuport), 1917

Waldruine (Klein-Arnsburg) [Forest Ruins (Klein-Arnsburg)], Franz Hein — Franz Hein

Waldruine (Klein-Arnsburg) [Forest Ruins (Klein-Arnsburg)], 1918

Waldtalbrücke (Forest Viaduct), Franz Hein — Franz Hein

Waldtalbrücke (Forest Viaduct), 1918

Herbststurm (Autumn Storm), Franz Hein — Franz Hein

Herbststurm (Autumn Storm), 1918

Ruine Lützelhardt (Lützelhardt Ruins), Franz Hein — Franz Hein

Ruine Lützelhardt (Lützelhardt Ruins), 1918

Ruine Wasigenstein (Wasigenstein Ruins), Franz Hein — Franz Hein

Ruine Wasigenstein (Wasigenstein Ruins), 1918

Ruine Schönek (Schönek Ruins), Franz Hein — Franz Hein

Ruine Schönek (Schönek Ruins), 1918

Gestalt Mit Tod (Figure with Death), Georg Scholz — Georg Scholz

Gestalt Mit Tod (Figure with Death), 1919

title page, Hermann-Paul — Hermann-Paul

title page, 1915

Lecture de la carte (couverture) [Reading of the chart (cover)], Maurice Busset — Maurice Busset

Lecture de la carte (couverture) [Reading of the chart (cover)], 1920

On Ne Passe Pas!, 1914-1918 (They Shall Not Pass! 1914-1918), Maurice Neumont — Maurice Neumont

On Ne Passe Pas!, 1914-1918 (They Shall Not Pass! 1914-1918), 1918

portfolio cover, Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes — Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes

portfolio cover, 1928

Kultur au Printemps (Kultur in Spring), Hermann-Paul — Hermann-Paul

Kultur au Printemps (Kultur in Spring), 1915

Kultur en Éte (Kultur in Summer), Hermann-Paul — Hermann-Paul

Kultur en Éte (Kultur in Summer), 1915

Kultur en Automne (Kultur in Autumn), Hermann-Paul — Hermann-Paul

Kultur en Automne (Kultur in Autumn), 1915

Kultur en Hiver (Kultur in Winter), Hermann-Paul — Hermann-Paul

Kultur en Hiver (Kultur in Winter), 1915

Kulture au Printemps (Kultur in Spring), Hermann-Paul — Hermann-Paul

Kulture au Printemps (Kultur in Spring), 1915

Avion de chasse Nieuport (titre) [Nieuport Fighter Plane (title)], Maurice Busset — Maurice Busset

Avion de chasse Nieuport (titre) [Nieuport Fighter Plane (title)], 1920

Mécanos portant un moteur rotatif (Mechanics Carrying a Rotary Engine), Maurice Busset — Maurice Busset

Mécanos portant un moteur rotatif (Mechanics Carrying a Rotary Engine), 1920

Bombardier et mitrailleur (Bomber and Machine Gunner), Maurice Busset — Maurice Busset

Bombardier et mitrailleur (Bomber and Machine Gunner), 1920

Le départ, Avion SPAD (The Departure, SPAD Plane), Maurice Busset — Maurice Busset

Le départ, Avion SPAD (The Departure, SPAD Plane), 1920

La traverse des lignes (Caught in the Crosshairs), Maurice Busset — Maurice Busset

La traverse des lignes (Caught in the Crosshairs), 1920

Le combat bi-moteur G.4 et Albatros (Twin-engine G.4 and Albatross Fight), Maurice Busset — Maurice Busset

Le combat bi-moteur G.4 et Albatros (Twin-engine G.4 and Albatross Fight), 1920

Monoplan M.S attaquant un LVG [Monoplane Morane-Saulnier (M.S.) attacking a Luftverkehrsgesellschaft (LVG)], Maurice Busset — Maurice Busset

Monoplan M.S attaquant un LVG [Monoplane Morane-Saulnier (M.S.) attacking a Luftverkehrsgesellschaft (LVG)], 1920

Flotte de Zeppelins attaquant l’Angleterre, 1916 (Fleet of Zeppelins Attacking England, 1916), Maurice Busset — Maurice Busset

Flotte de Zeppelins attaquant l’Angleterre, 1916 (Fleet of Zeppelins Attacking England, 1916), 1920

Combat d’hydravions et de Zeppelins, mer du Nord, 1916 (Seaplanes and Zeppelins in Combat, North Sea, 1916), Maurice Busset — Maurice Busset

Combat d’hydravions et de Zeppelins, mer du Nord, 1916 (Seaplanes and Zeppelins in Combat, North Sea, 1916), 1920

L’escadrille qui passe tranchées de Verdun, 1916 (The Flotilla Over the Trenches of Verdun, 1916), Maurice Busset — Maurice Busset

L’escadrille qui passe tranchées de Verdun, 1916 (The Flotilla Over the Trenches of Verdun, 1916), 1920

Le fin d’un Taube, bombardements de Paris, 1915 (A Taube’s End, Bombardments of Paris, 1915), Maurice Busset — Maurice Busset

Le fin d’un Taube, bombardements de Paris, 1915 (A Taube’s End, Bombardments of Paris, 1915), 1920

Plate 1: le militarisme (Militarism), Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes — Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes

Plate 1: le militarisme (Militarism), 1928

Plate 2: la propiété (Property), Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes — Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes

Plate 2: la propiété (Property), 1928

Plate 3: la philanthropie (Philanthropy), Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes — Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes

Plate 3: la philanthropie (Philanthropy), 1928

Plate 4: la social-démocratie (Social Democracy), Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes — Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes

Plate 4: la social-démocratie (Social Democracy), 1928

Plate 5: la justice (Justice), Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes — Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes

Plate 5: la justice (Justice), 1928

Plate 6: la colonization (Colonization), Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes — Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes

Plate 6: la colonization (Colonization), 1928

Plate 7:le fascisme (Fascism), Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes — Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes

Plate 7:le fascisme (Fascism), 1928

Plate 8:le mouchardage (Police Spy), Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes — Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes

Plate 8:le mouchardage (Police Spy), 1928

Plate 9: le parlementarisme (Parliamentary Government), Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes — Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes

Plate 9: le parlementarisme (Parliamentary Government), 1928

Plate 10: l’esprit moyen (Average Mind), Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes — Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes

Plate 10: l’esprit moyen (Average Mind), 1928

Plate 11: la religion (Religion), Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes — Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes

Plate 11: la religion (Religion), 1928

Plate 12: la chauvinisme, Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes — Fred Deltor; Les Éditions Socialistes

Plate 12: la chauvinisme, 1928

Zeit-Echo. Ein Kriegs-Tagebuch der Künstler (Time-Echo. An Artists' War Diary), Otto Haas-Heye — Otto Haas-Heye

Zeit-Echo. Ein Kriegs-Tagebuch der Künstler (Time-Echo. An Artists' War Diary), 1914–1915

An Alle Künstler! (To All Artists!), Max Pechstein — Max Pechstein

An Alle Künstler! (To All Artists!), 1919

untitled, Wenzel Hablik — Wenzel Hablik

untitled, 1909

Da wohnten Menschen auf Kristall'nen Bäumen (There people lived in crystal trees), Wenzel Hablik — Wenzel Hablik

Da wohnten Menschen auf Kristall'nen Bäumen (There people lived in crystal trees), 1925

Wenzel Hablik

no 1, Guillaume II (Kaiser Wilhelm II), 1914–1918

Wenzel Hablik

no. 2, Francois-Joseph (Emperor Franz Josef), 1914–1918

Wenzel Hablik

no. 4, Von Moltke (General Helmuth von Moltke), 1914–1918

Wenzel Hablik

no. 5, Von Kluck (General Alexander Von Kluck), 1914–1918

Semez du blé. C'est de l'or pour la France (Sow corn. It means gold for France), Susanne Herrand — Susanne Herrand

Semez du blé. C'est de l'or pour la France (Sow corn. It means gold for France), 1918

Prêez vos billets de banquet a la Franc. Prene des bons de la defense nationale (Lend your bank-notes to France. Buy national defense bonds), Andrée Ménard — Andrée Ménard

Prêez vos billets de banquet a la Franc. Prene des bons de la defense nationale (Lend your bank-notes to France. Buy national defense bonds), 1918

Epiphany, Frederick Landseer Maur Griggs — Frederick Landseer Maur Griggs

Epiphany, 1918–1919

Septemberschrei. Hymnen / Gebete / Lästerungen. Mit vierzehn Steindrucken (September-scream. Hymns / Prayers / Calumnies. With Fourteen Lithographs), Ludwig Meidner — Ludwig Meidner

Septemberschrei. Hymnen / Gebete / Lästerungen. Mit vierzehn Steindrucken (September-scream. Hymns / Prayers / Calumnies. With Fourteen Lithographs), 1920

Het Toppunt der Beschaving (The Summit of Civilization), number 1, Louis Raemaekers — Louis Raemaekers

Het Toppunt der Beschaving (The Summit of Civilization), number 1, 1915–1917

Het Toppunt der Beschaving (The Summit of Civilization), number 2, Louis Raemaekers — Louis Raemaekers

Het Toppunt der Beschaving (The Summit of Civilization), number 2, 1915–1917

Het Toppunt der Beschaving (The Summit of Civilization), number 3, Louis Raemaekers — Louis Raemaekers

Het Toppunt der Beschaving (The Summit of Civilization), number 3, 1915–1917

Het Toppunt der Beschaving (The Summit of Civilization), number 4, Louis Raemaekers — Louis Raemaekers

Het Toppunt der Beschaving (The Summit of Civilization), number 4, 1915–1917

Het Toppunt der Beschaving (The Summit of Civilization), number 5, Louis Raemaekers — Louis Raemaekers

Het Toppunt der Beschaving (The Summit of Civilization), number 5, 1915–1917

Het Toppunt der Beschaving (The Summit of Civilization), number 6, Louis Raemaekers — Louis Raemaekers

Het Toppunt der Beschaving (The Summit of Civilization), number 6, 1915–1917

Het Toppunt der Beschaving (The Summit of Civilization), number 7, Louis Raemaekers — Louis Raemaekers

Het Toppunt der Beschaving (The Summit of Civilization), number 7, 1915–1917

Gisteren Nog Misdaad ...Heden? (Yesterday's Crime ...Today?), Frans Masereel; Servire — Frans Masereel; Servire

Gisteren Nog Misdaad ...Heden? (Yesterday's Crime ...Today?), circa 1932

War Engine, William Wadsworth — William Wadsworth

War Engine, 1915

Die Kriegsmaschine des Vierverbandes / Irgendwo muß eine Schraube los sein. (The war machine of the Quadruple Alliance / There must be a screw loose), Lyonel Feininger — Lyonel Feininger

Die Kriegsmaschine des Vierverbandes / Irgendwo muß eine Schraube los sein. (The war machine of the Quadruple Alliance / There must be a screw loose), 1915

Maibild (May Picture), Erich Schilling — Erich Schilling

Maibild (May Picture), 1916

Franktireurs. Aus der Mappe "Memento 1914/1915" (Geurilla Fighters. From the portfolio "Memento 1914/1915"), Willy Jaeckel — Willy Jaeckel

Franktireurs. Aus der Mappe "Memento 1914/1915" (Geurilla Fighters. From the portfolio "Memento 1914/1915"), 1915

British Tank. Ypres - Poelcappelle Road (U.S. Signal Corps), unknown maker — unknown maker

British Tank. Ypres - Poelcappelle Road (U.S. Signal Corps), 1917–1918

Road between Ypres and Poelcappelle, Belgium (U.S. Signal Corps), unknown maker — unknown maker

Road between Ypres and Poelcappelle, Belgium (U.S. Signal Corps), 1917–1918

What was once / Poelcappelle, Belgium (U.S. Signal Corps), unknown maker — unknown maker

What was once / Poelcappelle, Belgium (U.S. Signal Corps), 1917–1918

Cloth Hall, Ypres (U.S. Signal Corps), unknown maker — unknown maker

Cloth Hall, Ypres (U.S. Signal Corps), 1917–1918

German Tank, captured by 112th Inf. Bouillonville Meurthe et Morelles, Oct. 29, 1918 (U.S. Signal Corps), unknown maker — unknown maker

German Tank, captured by 112th Inf. Bouillonville Meurthe et Morelles, Oct. 29, 1918 (U.S. Signal Corps), 1918

Foret d'Argonne. Nov. 17, 1918 (U.S. Signal Corps), unknown maker — unknown maker

Foret d'Argonne. Nov. 17, 1918 (U.S. Signal Corps), 1918

Officers directing fire region of Fismes, Aug. 29, 1918 (U.S. Signal Corps), unknown maker — unknown maker

Officers directing fire region of Fismes, Aug. 29, 1918 (U.S. Signal Corps), 1918

Balloon Windlass 16th Balloon Co. 28th Div. Limey, meurth et Morelle / Oct. 25, 1918, unknown maker — unknown maker

Balloon Windlass 16th Balloon Co. 28th Div. Limey, meurth et Morelle / Oct. 25, 1918, 1918

112th Field Hospital 28th Div. Cohan /Aug. 14, 1918 (U.S. Signal Corps), unknown maker — unknown maker

112th Field Hospital 28th Div. Cohan /Aug. 14, 1918 (U.S. Signal Corps), 1918

Battery c 2nd Battalion 55th Coast Artillery / 28th Div., Region of Fismes (U.S. Signal Corps), unknown maker — unknown maker

Battery c 2nd Battalion 55th Coast Artillery / 28th Div., Region of Fismes (U.S. Signal Corps), 1917–1918

Boureuilles, Sept. 28, 1918 (U.S. Signal Corps), unknown maker — unknown maker

Boureuilles, Sept. 28, 1918 (U.S. Signal Corps), 1918

Church at Oostniewkerke, Belgium (U.S. Signal Corps), unknown maker — unknown maker

Church at Oostniewkerke, Belgium (U.S. Signal Corps), 1917–1918

same as 24935 (U.S. Signal Corps), unknown maker — unknown maker

same as 24935 (U.S. Signal Corps), 1917–1918

Road between Disselghem and Waereghem (U.S. Signal Corps), unknown maker — unknown maker

Road between Disselghem and Waereghem (U.S. Signal Corps), 1917–1918

[...]These men are using gas equipment while receiving instructions from observer. Batt. A 108th Field Artillery (U.S. Signal Corps), unknown maker — unknown maker

[...]These men are using gas equipment while receiving instructions from observer. Batt. A 108th Field Artillery (U.S. Signal Corps), 1917–1918

Events

March 4, 2010

Social

Spring @ the Spencer

5:30–7:00PM

Gallery 317 Central Court

March 11, 2010

Talk

One of Ours by Willa Cather

6:00–7:00PM

Gallery 407

March 11, 2010

Screening

A Very Long Engagement

7:00–9:00PM

309 Auditorium

March 25, 2010

Talk

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

6:00–7:00PM

Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St

March 25, 2010

Screening

All Quiet on the Western Front

7:00–9:00PM

Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St

March 26, 2010

Talk

The Long Shadow of the “Great War”

10:00–11:30AM

Gallery 407

March 29, 2010

Talk

Machine in a Void: World War I and the Graphic Arts

2:00–4:00PM

Gallery 407

April 8, 2010

Talk

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

6:00–7:00PM

Gallery 407

April 8, 2010

Screening

The Sun Also Rises

7:00–9:00PM

309 Auditorium

April 10, 2010

Workshop

War of the Worlds: Pencil V. Print

10:30AM–12:30PM

Gallery 317 Central Court

April 10, 2010

Workshop

War of the Worlds: Pencil V. Print

1:30–3:30PM

Gallery 317 Central Court

April 22, 2010

Talk

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

6:00–7:00PM

Gallery 401

April 22, 2010

Screening

Mrs. Dalloway

7:00–9:00PM

309 Auditorium

May 1, 2010

Activity

Spring Arts & Culture Festival

1:00–4:00PM

Front Lawn, Gallery 317 Central Court

May 13, 2010

Talk

Senior Curator Steve Goddard on Machine in a Void: World War I & the Graphic Arts

12:00–1:00PM

Gallery 404

Resources

Audio

Didactic – Art Minute

Episode 211 Mar-2010, Rachel Voorhies, Department of Prints and Drawings Intern I’m David Cateforis with another Art Minute from the Spencer Museum of Art. The exhibition Machine in a Void: World War I and the Graphic Arts presents nearly 200 works of graphic art created primarily during World War I or shortly after. Many of the artists featured were themselves soldiers, and their personal experiences of the war informed their work. The images they produced range from the documentary to the dissenting. Exemplary of the former are French artist Maxime Maufra’s lithographs of war-blasted landscapes, and exemplary of the latter, German artist George Grosz’s portfolio of satirical anti-war prints. At the heart of the exhibition are 38 etchings by Belgian artist Henri de Groux, made as proofs and trial prints in preparation for the portfolio Le Visage de la Victoire, or The Face of Victory. In his introduction to this portfolio, de Groux wrote that the war was an “undeniable and colossal absurdity, like a machine functioning in a void.” Machine in a Void is on view until May 23 in the Kress and South Balcony Galleries. With thanks to Rachel Voorhies for her text, from the Spencer Museum of Art, I’m David Cateforis.

Documents

Media Release

Exhibition Pamphlet

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Events

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Gallery Hours

Stay up to date on our latest events and exhibitions.

Machine in a Void: World War I & the Graphic Arts

Exhibition Overview

Exhibition images

Works of art

Events

Resources

Audio

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Museum Newsletter

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