Jana Euler's Triptych at Museum Ludwig Engages Viewer Movement
In the fifth installment of Schultze Projects at Museum Ludwig in Cologne, artist Jana Euler showcases 'Triptych – Image Viewer Connections' (2026), a substantial painting that requires the viewer's position for comprehension. Euler draws inspiration from notable figures such as Michael Fried, Jonathan Crary, Marcel Duchamp, Robert Morris, Bruce Nauman, Dan Graham, and Paul Klee. The triptych consists of three pieces: 'One on One,' featuring a lifelike collie; 'Nude Stairs Staring Back,' which includes abstract shapes with eyes and bodies; and 'Reclining Nude,' illustrating a figure that appears to recede. The museum's architecture plays a role in the artwork, emphasizing the necessity of viewer interaction. The exhibition is available until 2026.
Key facts
- Jana Euler created 'Triptych – Image Viewer Connections' (2026) for the fifth Schultze Projects at Museum Ludwig, Cologne.
- The triptych is installed on the large wall facing the main staircase.
- The work's legibility depends on the viewer's position, making the point of view part of the composition.
- The painting references theories by Michael Fried, Jonathan Crary, and artists including Marcel Duchamp, Robert Morris, Bruce Nauman, Dan Graham, and Paul Klee.
- The triptych includes three paintings: 'One on One,' 'Nude Stairs Staring Back,' and 'Reclining Nude.'
- 'One on One' depicts a collie painted in oil from photographs, appearing to project into the viewer's space.
- 'Nude Stairs Staring Back' uses reddish-brown tones that recall the museum floor, revealing eyes, mouths, and bodies as the viewer moves.
- Euler described the eyes in 'Nude Stairs Staring Back' as an attempt 'to make eye contact with every position.'
Entities
Artists
- Jana Euler
- Michael Fried
- Jonathan Crary
- Marcel Duchamp
- Robert Morris
- Bruce Nauman
- Dan Graham
- Paul Klee
- Bernard Schultze
- Ursula (Schultze-Bluhm)
Institutions
- Museum Ludwig
- Schultze Projects
Locations
- Cologne
- Germany
- Friedberg