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Malapai

1927, printed 1936
(American, born Germany, 1881–1971)
America, 20th century
color woodcut
Support: Zanders laid paper
Image: 24 x 28.6 cm (9 7/16 x 11 1/4 in.); Sheet: 34.1 x 43.1 cm (13 7/16 x 16 15/16 in.)
Gift of Ann Baumann 2005.425
© Ann Baumann Trust
Catalogue raisonné: Chamberlain 122
Location: not on view
This artwork is known to be under copyright.

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Description

The Malpais (badlands) are now part of El Malpais National Monument. The barren scenery is a result of ancient lava flows within a basin surrounded by sandstone bluffs that have been eroded by wind and water into startling, eerie formations. Baumann commented on this strange and intriguing vista: “There is a feeling of rightness in the confusion of shapes thrown about on the landscape with its multicolored ash, mud, and lava flows, and yet it is disconcerting when I find that what gives it art value is no more than a thin film of iridescence caused by the atmosphere.”
Malapai

Malapai

1927, printed 1936

Gustave Baumann

(American, born Germany, 1881–1971)
America, 20th century

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