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Paul Wunderlich
Madame est Servie (Surrealist, Symbolic, Female, Figurative)

1968

About the Item

Paul Wunderlich Madame est Servie 1968 Color Lithograph on B.K. Rives Edition: E.A of 75 Image Size: 21.75 × 29.75 inches (55.25 × 75.57 cm) Mat Size: 26 × 32 inches (66.04 × 81.28 cm) Signed and inscribed in pencil along lower margin Ref.: Minneapolis Institute of Art - Accession Number 2018.125.3 Condition: Overall good; vibrant and deep colors throughout. No staining, soiling, discoloration, foxing or tears. Very minor waviness throughout. The title Madame est servie (“Madame is served” or “Dinner is served”) demonstrates Paul Wunderlich’s characteristic blend of elegance, irony, and erotic surrealism. In this composition, the phrase is interpreted literally, presenting the female figure as both subject and symbolic offering upon a table-like setting. Wunderlich’s work frequently explored themes of sensuality, transformation, and psychological ambiguity, often merging the human body with stylized or improbable forms rendered through highly refined draftsmanship. As a painter, sculptor, and printmaker, Wunderlich became known for his distinctive figurative imagery that combined Surrealist influence with elements of Art Nouveau and Symbolism. His compositions often feature elongated female nudes and dreamlike theatrical spaces, balancing beauty with a subtle sense of unease. During the early 1960s, some of his works generated controversy and were temporarily confiscated by German authorities on grounds of obscenity, even as he received significant recognition for the technical sophistication of his graphic art. A notable aspect of Wunderlich’s process was his interest in distortion and transformation through observation of shadow and silhouette rather than direct anatomical realism. This approach contributed to the fluid, sculptural quality of his figures, allowing the body to become a vehicle for fantasy, allegory, and psychological projection. Madame est servie exemplifies the tension between refinement and provocation that defines much of Wunderlich’s oeuvre. Paul Wunderlich Madame est servie, erotic surrealist lithograph, symbolic female figure, dreamlike figurative composition, surreal erotic imagery, elongated nude figure, psychological symbolism artwork, European figurative print, limited edition lithograph, theatrical surrealist composition Paul Wunderlich artist, German surrealism, postwar figurative art, erotic symbolism art, Hamburg School artist, surrealist printmaking, European modernism, symbolic figuration, contemporary German printmaker, collectible fine art prints
  • Creator:
    Paul Wunderlich (1927, German)
  • Creation Year:
    1968
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 26 in (66.04 cm)Width: 32 in (81.28 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
    Overall good; vibrant and deep colors throughout. No staining, soiling, discoloration, foxing or tears. Very minor waviness throughout.
  • Gallery Location:
    Kansas City, MO
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU608318057232