Monumental Relief Block “Leda and the Swan” – Kurt Bingler, 1978

An exceptionally large and rare piece: not a paper print, but the original carved block (printing matrix) itself, hand-coloured and framed as an autonomous work of art.

Dimensions: height 230 cm, width 130 cm, depth 5 cm.

The reverse is labelled “Linolschnitt-Stock”; this example is constructed in wood. The work is signed and dated at the bottom: Kurt Bingler, 1978. Works by Kurt Otto Bingler (1926–2005) are also held in the collection of the Beethoven-Haus in Bonn.

The relief is what makes this piece so powerful in an interior. The carving, the crisply cut edges and the layered hand-colouring are present directly in the surface, so it reads as a monumental wall panel with real depth and shadow.

The scene depicts “Leda and the Swan”, a classical mythological theme, here translated into a clear, graphic composition. The swan forms a large, enclosing arc around Leda; feathers and wings are built up from rhythmic patterns and carved lines that create tension and movement without visual clutter. Reeds and water anchor the scene below, while birds glide through a structured sky above. The palette is rich yet controlled: deep burgundy and plum tones, cool blues and greens, with gold accents that catch the light and make the relief stand out even more.

The piece is set in a gold-toned wooden frame that carries the scale beautifully. The wooden block itself is in very fine condition; the frame shows signs of wear consistent with age and handling (frame only). Sturdy and ready to hang. A unique work that gives a space an immediate, distinctive artistic presence.