Rüdiger Frank (1949–2010) - Kaligraphischer Tanz

Work Description – Rüdiger Frank (later Tilopâ Monk)
“Kaligraphischer Tanz,” color aquatint, 2/9
Original color aquatint by Rüdiger Frank (1949–2010), who from 1984 worked under the artist name Tilopâ Monk and was a documented pupil of Joseph Beuys at the Düsseldorf Art Academy.
Printed on BFK Rives France, a high-quality French wove paper.
Sheet size: approx. 50.5 cm × 66.0 cm, plate size approx. 30 cm × 40 cm.
Lower right hand-signed in pencil with “R. Frank,” lower left pencil-numbered “2/9.” The title is also noted in pencil on the sheet.
The edition comprises only 9 impressions.

The front is flat, clean and without spots, creases or other damage.

Back-side condition:
Minimal, superficial paper thinning from earlier mounting, of about 4.0 cm x 3.5 cm due to earlier affixation with double-sided tape (see photo). The front and the print are not affected.
Shipping will be flat via DHL, between sturdy boards for protection. The sheet will not be rolled.

Artistic attribution
The work comes from the early creative phase of Rüdiger Frank, who from 1984 worked under the artist name Tilopâ Monk. Frank is among the notable German graphic artists of the postwar period. His artistic development was significantly shaped by his studies with Joseph Beuys (1969–1973), whose influence is reflected in the free, gestural line work and experimental material handling.
The aquatint “Kaligraphischer Tanz” shows a dynamic composition of rhythmic signs, overlaid structures, and color nuanced states of the printing plate. The earthy red-brown tones, black and graphite are characteristic of his graphic works from the early 1980s and mark the transition to his later work as Tilopâ Monk.