Marlene Dumas's 'Einder (Horizon)' at Palazzo Grassi Explores Ambivalence

In the exhibition 'Open-End' at Palazzo Grassi in Venice, Marlene Dumas's painting 'Einder (Horizon)' (2007-2008) from the Pinault Collection captivates with its ambiguity. The title, derived from an Afrikaans poem by Elisabeth Eybers, suggests both 'the end' and 'the unreachable horizon.' The work depicts a vibrant bouquet of flowers on a black ground, evoking a funeral or a nocturnal sea burial. Dumas intended to paint flowers on her mother's grave, attempting a portrait without direct representation. The painting employs a 'flou' technique, referencing Claude Monet's water lilies, with loose, unimpastoed strokes. The composition reveals a hidden figure—a corpse immersed in flowers and paint, reminiscent of Monet's 'Camille.' The exhibition runs until January 8, 2023, coinciding with the 59th Venice Biennale.