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Collections

Lothar Schreyer
Crucifixion: Play sequence VIIcirca 1920

Not on view
Woodcut-style print with bold black rectangle bearing white block-capital title 'KREUZIGUNG,' German text in all-caps, a horizontal rule, and small abstract vignettes near the bottom right
Printed broadside with German text in bold blackletter and sans-serif capitals, organized under three black banner headings on a cream background.
Printed score or notation chart with German text and colored graphic symbols. Black background bands contain abstract shapes—concentric circles, zigzag lines, crescents, and dots in yellow, blue, teal, and orange—arranged in horizontal rows. Bold sans-serif headings read 'Spielzeichen' and 'Bedeutung der Zeichen,' with a legend grid at bottom defining pitch, rhythm, and movement markings.
Architectural or stage design diagram in ink and watercolor, showing two rectangular floor plans with stippled gray borders and red outlines, four half-circle symbols arranged in a row across the upper plan, a yellow square accent at upper right, a hatched staircase element at left, and a block of German text with specifications along the bottom edge. The word "Spielfläche" appears in bold lettering at top right.
Print with dense black-and-white hatched texture background; a stylized cross-shaped black figure with circular head, white and red circular details, and outstretched arms; a small red circle in lower left; word "Mutter" in upper right.
Print with densely cross-hatched black-and-white background; centered dark blue geometric figure with outstretched horizontal bar, red circular accents on chest, and a yellow circle at midsection; small dark square with two red circles at lower left; word "Geliebte" in upper right corner.
Print with two symmetrical half-circle forms divided into geometric segments in red, teal, yellow, and black, set against a densely stippled gray field. Two vertical black rectangular forms intersect each half-circle. Red circular shapes appear at lower left and center. German text "Geliebte" and "Mutter" printed along the top.
Print with stippled black-and-white background; a frontal geometric figure with outstretched arms, dark rectangular torso bearing a bold red cross, small mechanical head with red circles, and a smaller inset cross at lower left; word "Mann" in black lettering upper right.
Print with two vertical black geometric constructions featuring red rectangular sections and circular elements, set against a stippled black-and-white background; a small red cross-like form appears between them at center.
Mixed-media work on white ground featuring two horizontal black bands, each divided into three panels. Each panel contains a white concentric circle target and orange-red circular dots alongside German text instructions in white lettering. A black rectangle marked with an 'X' appears in the upper right corner.
Graphic design print with two horizontal black bands divided into grid cells, each containing white concentric circles and red dots, with German text instructions in white lettering; numeral XI in upper right corner.
Black and white graphic work combining German text and geometric symbols in a grid layout. Bold sans-serif lettering reads 'Ich leide,' 'Kreuz,' 'kreuzt uns,' with smaller instructional text. Panels contain concentric circles, zigzag wave patterns, and semicircular eye-like forms on black grounds. Roman numeral XII appears at upper right.
Gouache or watercolor design with two horizontal banner-like registers on white ground. Upper register features bold black lettering in German, geometric zigzag patterns in blue, yellow, and white, and concentric circle motifs. Lower register includes teal zigzag lines, additional German text, and orange cross and circle symbols. Roman numeral XIII appears at top right.
Graphic design work with horizontal bands of bold black and white geometric patterns, including concentric circle targets, zigzag chevrons in blue, yellow, and teal, and crescent shapes. German text reads "Nie blüht Ich Wurzelwärts wächst Ich" and "Welt ringtum uns" with a smaller block reading "Rechter Arm Wagerecht Seitwärts." Roman numeral XIIII appears upper right; two red circles upper left.
Gouache or tempera design with two horizontal black bands featuring concentric circle motifs and blue and yellow zigzag patterns. German text in decorative lettering reads 'Ring der Sterne strahlt um Welt' and 'Mein Herz loht in Nacht' above the upper band, and 'Wir wandern traumwandern wachwandern weit' between the bands. Red cross-shaped symbols and a red circle appear at intervals; Roman numeral XV in upper right corner.
Graphic design composition with German text reading 'Staub ist in Wunden Einsame' and 'Augen zerschauen Mich,' interspersed with decorative horizontal bands of blue and black zigzag patterns, concentric circle targets, crescent moon motifs, and a gold zigzag section; small red circles and Roman numeral XVI appear in corners.
Illustrated page numbered XVII with two rows of decorative bands: black bars with white concentric circle targets, zigzag patterns in teal, gold, blue, and white, and crescent moon motifs. German text reads "Sucht Fragt Nichts ersinnen wir Nichts" and "Stürzen will ich mit Armen in Armen Flüchten vor mir Füsse." Small red circular and dark oval accents appear at left margins.
Black and white print or drawing combining bold German text with geometric bands of zigzag patterns and concentric circle motifs arranged in two horizontal rows; Roman numeral XVIII appears upper right.
Graphic design composition with bold black, yellow, teal, and white geometric patterned bands including zigzag lines, concentric circles, and crescent forms, interspersed with German text reading "Geboren ist mein Kind Männer greifen in meine Brust Menschen werfen mich weg" and two red circular motifs; Roman numeral XIX in upper right.
Graphic design composition with two horizontal bands of bold geometric patterning in black, white, red, blue, and gold. German text reads 'Mein Kind schläft in meinem Schooss' and 'stöhnt im Schenkeltanz Mein Kind,' interspersed with zigzag chevrons, concentric circle targets, crescent shapes, and orange circles. White instructional text on black bars reads 'LINKER ARM WAGERECHT VOR HANDFLÄCHEN NACH UNTEN' and 'RECHTER ARM IM BOGEN HOCH NACH VOR WAGERECHT.'
Graphic design work combining German blackletter text with two horizontal rows of rectangular panels in black, featuring concentric circle motifs, blue and yellow zigzag wave patterns, and crescent shapes. A small orange cross appears between the rows. Roman numeral XXI in upper right.
Graphic design work with bold black horizontal bands featuring blue and white zigzag patterns, concentric circle motifs, crescent shapes, and two orange circles. German text in black lettering reads 'Knaben beten zur Mondblume auf Sternweinen,' 'leuchtet die Welt,' 'Mein totes Kind lebt,' and 'Ballt die Hände.' Roman numeral XXII in upper right corner with gold accent details.
Graphic print with bold geometric patterns arranged in horizontal bands: black rectangles, concentric circle targets, zigzag waves in blue and yellow, and crescent moon shapes. German text runs across the composition in decorative lettering, with Roman numeral XXIII in the upper right corner.
Printed composition combining German text and bold geometric patterns in black, red, yellow, and blue. Large sans-serif lettering reads 'Ich bin alle Taten' and 'tun wir Flammen brechen in die Mitternacht.' Rows of zigzag bands, concentric circle targets, red dots, and stylized symmetrical figures in black alternate with columns of smaller instructional German text. Roman numeral 'XXIIII' appears upper right.
Black and white graphic design with two rows of repeating panels, each containing bold zigzag wave patterns and concentric circle motifs on a black ground, interspersed with crescent shapes. German text in bold lettering runs above each row, with Roman numeral XXV and a black rectangle in the upper right corner.
Mixed-media design with bold German text in varied typefaces above six rectangular panels containing repeating black-and-white concentric circle motifs and blue, gold, and black zigzag wave patterns; a red circle appears at center; small text block reads 'RECHTER ARM SEITWÄRTS WAGERECHT'; Roman numeral XXVI at upper right.
Illustrated page numbered XXVII with two horizontal registers of repeating geometric bands. Each register shows alternating zigzag patterns in blue, yellow, and black above black rectangular blocks containing concentric circle motifs. German text in mixed typefaces runs above each register.
Print with bold German text in two rows reading 'Ich suche Mein Sohn geht in das Blut Blumen Erde Kinder singen in die Schlacht' and 'Männer fallen Söhne nieder nieder Welt brüllt,' above repeated horizontal bands of black-and-white concentric circles and zigzag patterns in gold and blue, numbered XXVIII in upper right.
Print with two horizontal registers of bold geometric bands in black, featuring zigzag patterns in blue, green, and yellow, and concentric circle motifs. German text in mixed typefaces runs above each register; Roman numeral XXIX appears upper right.
Gouache or print design with two rows of grid panels containing repeating geometric motifs — yellow and blue chevrons, crescent moons, and concentric circle targets on black grounds — interspersed with German text reading 'Mein Kind leid Todhunger Toddurst Mein Sohn liegt in Steinen nackt Herzwunde brennt,' with 'XXX' and a black rectangle in the upper right corner.
Gouache or watercolor design sheet with two horizontal registers of repeating geometric motifs—zigzag chevrons in blue, green, and yellow, crescent shapes, and concentric circle targets on black bands—interspersed with lines of German text in black letterforms and small annotations in red.
Graphic design work combining German text with bold geometric horizontal bands in black, yellow, green, and blue, featuring repeating chevron patterns and concentric circle motifs; numbered XXXII in upper right corner.
Illustrated page numbered XXXIII featuring two lines of German text in mixed roman and script lettering, each above a horizontal band of bold zigzag patterns in black, teal, blue, and yellow, with concentric circle targets on black rectangular bars below.
Graphic design work with two horizontal black bands containing repeating geometric motifs — concentric circles, zigzag patterns in yellow and blue, and crescent shapes. German text labels appear above each band, including words such as "Liebe," "Jungfrau," and "Menschgeburt." A red cross-like symbol appears between the bands. Roman numeral "XXXIIII" in upper right. Small instructional text in lower center reads "Rechte Hand auf Rechte Brust" and "Arme Seitwärts Wagerecht."
Printed page with German text in decorative lettering above two horizontal bands of bold geometric imagery: zigzag wave patterns in black and blue, crescent moon symbols, and concentric circle targets on black rectangular fields, repeated in mirrored pairs. Roman numeral XXXV appears in the upper right corner.
Gouache or tempera design sheet with horizontal bands of geometric decoration on white ground, featuring black bars with white concentric circle motifs, teal and blue zigzag borders, and red circular accents. German text in bold lettering reads "Die dunklen Vögel hacken in unser Herz" and "Wachet Wachet Weibgeschlecht," with smaller instructional German text in lower left panels. Roman numeral XXXVI in upper right corner.
Gouache or print design with two horizontal bands of geometric pattern blocks in black, white, yellow, blue, and teal, featuring zigzag waves, concentric circles, and crescent shapes. German text in black lettering runs above each band. Roman numeral XXXVII and a red square appear in the upper right; two red circles separate the bands.
Mixed-media composition featuring horizontal bands of black rectangles with concentric circle motifs, interspersed with zigzag patterns in yellow, blue, and green. Red circles and orange discs appear throughout. German text in hand-lettered script reads across the design, with Roman numeral XXXVIII in the upper right.
Printed design study with two horizontal bands of repeating geometric patterns in black, white, blue, and yellow, featuring concentric circles and zigzag wave forms. German text labels each section; a solid red circle appears at top center. Roman numerals "XXXIX" at upper right.
Graphic print with bold black-and-white geometric bands featuring repeating concentric circle motifs and teal zigzag patterns, arranged in two horizontal rows. German text in bold lettering reads "Herzdurchbohrt Verlassen Verworfen" and "Namenlos Reuelos Leer" above each row. Two orange circles appear at upper left; label "XL" at upper right. Small legend with orange dots and German text at lower right.
Graphic design composition with bold German text reading 'Mich Aufhebe die Erde Nagel in blinden Blick' and 'Kreuzige Aufhebe die Erde Nagel in blinden Blick,' flanking horizontal bands of blue, gold, and black zigzag patterns, crescent moons, wavy lines, and target motifs; two red circles and Roman numeral XLI appear at upper corners.
Printed design plate numbered XLII, with two rows of decorative bands in black, blue, and gold. German text headers read 'Speer in Herz Schwert in Scham Zerstöre Vernichte Tilge' and 'Herz Scham Zerstöre Vernichte Tilge.' Geometric motifs include zigzag chevron patterns, crescent shapes, and concentric circle targets arranged in a grid of rectangular panels.
Printed page numbered XLIII with repeating horizontal bands of bold black-and-white geometric patterns, zigzag borders in gold and teal, crescent and circle motifs, and German text reading 'Nichts In Deine Arme Reinige Nimm Lösch aus' repeated twice.
Graphic design work with two horizontal black bands, each containing repeating zigzag patterns in gold and gray-green, circular target motifs, and German text reading 'Feuer Feuer Vergeben Nichts.' Roman numeral 'XLIIII' in upper right corner.
Gelatin silver print of a graphic design composition in black, white, and gray. Two horizontal bands contain repeating geometric motifs—concentric circles and chevron wave patterns. German text reads "Das Kreuz ist" above the first band and "leer" above the second, with additional German text in the lower right. Roman numeral XLV appears in the upper right corner.
Print with bold black-and-white geometric bands featuring repeated circular and chevron motifs in grid-like panels. Text reading "Gott ist tot" appears twice in black serif type. Upper left corner shows a red-orange circle and two dark circles on a black rectangle. Roman numeral XLVI at upper right.
Graphic design composition with bold black horizontal bands containing concentric circle targets, blue and gold zigzag wave patterns, and red geometric accents. German text reads "Das Kreuz ist leer," "Kind," "Weinen," "Arme Seitwärts," and "Halbdrehung Links," with roman numeral XLVII in the upper right.
Graphic design composition with bold black, white, yellow, and blue geometric bands. Top row features two red circles and repeating Latin-script text reading 'WEINEN' across six white-labeled black panels. Below, zigzag yellow and black borders alternate with crescent moon shapes. The word 'Mutter' appears twice in white on black. Lower section contains a grid of concentric circle targets and blue wave patterns. Roman numeral 'XLVIII' at upper right.
Graphic design study with bold black bands on white ground, numbered XLIX upper right. Top band repeats the word "WEINEN" six times in white on black. Below, layered zigzag chevron stripes in yellow, blue, and white. Middle section shows black rectangular panels with "Mutter" in two cells. Lower grid of black squares contains concentric circle targets alternating with blue and white zigzag wave patterns.
Graphic work with a grid of black rectangular panels on white ground. Upper row repeats the word "WEINEN" in six panels with zigzag wave patterns in yellow and blue beside crescent moon motifs. Lower rows include the word "Mutter" twice, concentric circle targets, wave patterns, and a small orange circle above the text "SINKT IN KNIE" in German.
Graphic design study with grid layout on white ground, featuring repeating black banner panels with the word "WEINEN" in white, rows of blue and black zigzag patterns with crescent motifs, the word "Mutter" in cursive, and a bottom section of concentric circle targets; accents of gold and blue appear in select cells.
Gouache or print composition arranged in a grid of black and white panels with repeated geometric motifs — concentric circles, crescent moons, and zigzag bands in blue, gray, and yellow. German text reads "WEINEN" repeated across the top row, "Mutter" in three panels, and "MIT KOPF ZUR ERDE" beside a single orange dot. Roman numeral "LII" in upper right corner.
Graphic print with a grid of black rectangular cells containing repeating motifs: concentric circle targets, zigzag chevron bands in gray and yellow, and German text including "Weinen," "Mutter," "Gericht," and "Ein Schritt Zurück," with small orange and red dot symbols at lower right. Roman numeral "LIII" appears in the upper right corner.
Graphic design work in black, white, gold, and orange, featuring a grid of repeating geometric motifs: concentric circle targets, crescent shapes, and gold zigzag bands. The word "Heiland" appears in bold black lettering across three rows. Orange circle and cross symbols appear at top left; Roman numeral "LIIII" at top right.
Graphic design work with two horizontal bands of repeating geometric motifs in black, white, and blue: zigzag wave patterns and concentric circle targets on black grounds. German text in bold letterforms reads 'Verschlungen Leuchte Wandeln Erdherz neigt zum Kuss' above and 'Weltumschlungen Ruhen in Gestalt Sehen Heim' below. Red cross symbol and black rectangle with 'LV' in upper corners. Small gold zigzag accent in lower band.
Gouache or print design with two horizontal registers of geometric patterned bands in black, white, blue, gold, and orange. German words label sections above each band: 'Mutter,' 'Kind,' 'Erkennen,' 'Haben,' 'Sternumgreifen' in the upper register and 'Himmelherz strahlt All,' 'Tänzer,' 'Öffner,' 'Singer,' 'Geber,' 'Schooss' below. Bands feature repeating concentric circles, zigzag chevrons, and crescent moon motifs. Small orange and red symbols—a circle, paired dots, and a cross—appear above the upper register.
Printed composition on white ground with bold geometric patterns in black, blue, orange, and yellow. Two horizontal bands of repeating black rectangles contain concentric circle targets and blue-and-black zigzag waves. German words in bold type—Tod, Liebe, Licht, Sein, Alllicht, Allsein, Allwir, Allnichts, Allich—label columns above each band. Three red-orange symbols appear at top: two circles and a cross form. Roman numeral LVII in upper right corner.
Graphic print with a grid layout of black rectangular panels containing bold geometric motifs: concentric white circles, gold and black zigzag bands, and curved white crescents. The word "Heiland" appears in bold type across multiple rows. Small red geometric symbols appear in the upper left. German text labels are printed in the lower panels. Roman numeral LVIII appears upper right.
Graphic design work with horizontal bands of bold geometric patterns: zigzag chevrons in blue, yellow, and black alternating with solid black bars, red and white circles, and German text reading "Türen auf Menschen auf Bereitet das Bett Hohe Zeit Weihe Zeit," labeled "LIX" in the upper right.
Graphic print with repeated horizontal bands of black, gold zigzag patterns, and German text reading 'Singt die Taube Springt das Lamm Esst das Brot Trinkt das Blut,' above a row of black panels containing red and white circles; numbered 'LX' in upper right.
Graphic design print with two mirrored horizontal bands of bold black, gold, red, and white geometric patterns — zigzag chevrons, crescent shapes, concentric circles, and rows of dots — with German text reading 'Zungen Flammen Weltwort Weltlos Heilig Heilig' above each band, and 'LXI' in a black box at upper right.
Printed design with two horizontal bands of bold geometric ornament in black, blue, yellow, and white, featuring repeating chevron waves, concentric circle motifs, and German text in black letterforms above each band; red cross and square mark upper left, Roman numeral LXII upper right.
Printed page with two horizontal bands of repeating panels, each showing blue and black zigzag wave patterns above circular target motifs on black backgrounds. German text headers read 'Weltumarmen Sinnenum finstert Sinnlos umleuchtet Sinken in Dich' and 'Tragen wir Dich Glühen Dich Strahl Arme Welt.' Roman numeral LXIII appears upper right. First panel at upper left includes yellow accents. Small red circles and additional German text appear lower right.
Illustrated page with geometric decorative bands in black, yellow, blue, and gray, featuring zigzag patterns, crescent shapes, and concentric circle motifs. German text in bold lettering reads 'Du nimmst mich Du gibst mich Leib mein mein fleischern Gefäss' and 'Klares Feuer entgiesst dem Stern Meine Hand streichelt müden Mensch.' Roman numeral LXIIII and two red circles appear in upper corners.
Illustrated page numbered LXV with two horizontal bands of decorative motifs. Each band features bold German text in calligraphic lettering above a zigzag border—gold-yellow in the upper band, gray-green in the lower—followed by a wide black horizontal bar containing two concentric circle targets. Half-moon shapes flank the zigzag borders.
Illustrated page with bold German text in two lines, separated by horizontal bands of zigzag patterns in blue, yellow, and black, with circular target-like motifs on black bars; crescent moon shapes punctuate the design; roman numeral LXVI appears upper right.
Lothar Schreyer, Crucifixion: Play sequence VII
Illustrated page with two horizontal black bands decorated with zigzag patterns in blue, gold, and white, circular target motifs, and crescent moon shapes. German text in bold lettering reads above each band. Roman numeral LXVIII in upper right corner.
Graphic design study with two rows of horizontal black bands decorated with zigzag wave patterns in blue, yellow, and white, and concentric circle motifs. German text in bold lettering reads 'Herz zerreisst Mensch Erde türmt auf dem kleinen Licht' and 'Kindmutter verbrennt Sturmauf Sonnenunter.' Roman numeral LXIX in upper right corner.
Graphic design work with two horizontal registers, each containing German text in bold black lettering above bands of zigzag patterns in blue, black, and gold, with white concentric circle motifs on black bars below. Upper register reads 'Wüstes Sehnen Mutter Welt Weltwandel Wunder'; lower reads 'Tod stirbt Liebe stirbt Liebe über uns Tod über uns.' Roman numerals 'LXX' appear in upper right.
Print or drawing with bold geometric bands in black, blue, and red on white. Two horizontal registers feature zigzag wave patterns in blue and black with concentric circle motifs and red cross-like figures. German text in bold lettering runs between the registers, with additional instructional text and Roman numeral LXXI in the upper right.
Illustrated page numbered LXXII with German text in two rows above horizontal bands of zigzag patterns in black, blue, and gold, with red cross-like symbols and white dots on black grounds
Mixed-media composition with bold black horizontal bands containing concentric white and black target circles, blue and gold zigzag chevron patterns, and red-orange circles. German text reads "Kreuz kreuzt uns" and "Ich leide" with "Richtet sich auf" in smaller type. Roman numeral LXXIII in upper right.
Graphic artwork with repeating horizontal bands of blue and black zigzag wave patterns alternating with lines of German text reading "Wir wandern traumwandern wachwandern weit." Upper left corner features bold red and orange geometric shapes; Roman numerals LXXIIII at upper right. Two white concentric circles appear in the bottom black band.
Mixed-media work on white ground with repeating horizontal bands. Three rows of German text in bold lettering read 'Heiland fremd Durch die Menschen Hohn Blut Spott Blut Hass Blut,' alternating with decorative bands of blue and gold zigzag chevrons, black bars with white crescent shapes, and a bottom row of black rectangles with concentric circle motifs. Roman numeral 'LXXV' and a black rectangle appear in the upper right corner.
Graphic work with repeating horizontal bands of gold and blue zigzag patterns alternating with black bars, German text in bold calligraphic lettering reading 'Liebend verdammt Weh in die arme Welt Weit in die arme Welt,' crescent moon motifs at left edges, and three white concentric circles on black at the bottom. Roman numerals LXXVI in upper right corner.
Graphic work on paper with a grid of black-and-white squares featuring repeating motifs: concentric circles, blue zigzag wave patterns, and gold crescent shapes. German text labels 'Wachen' and 'Welt' appear above rows in bold lettering. Bottom row includes red circular symbols with handwritten German annotations. Roman numeral LXXVII in upper right corner.

Lothar Schreyer, Untitled, circa 1920, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Robert Gore Rifkind Center for German Expressionist Studies, purchased with funds provided by Anna Bing Arnold, Museum Associates Acquisition Fund, and deaccession funds, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

Artist or Maker
Lothar Schreyer
Germany, Hamburg, 1886-1966
Title
Crucifixion: Play sequence VII
Place Made
Germany, Hamburg
Date Made
circa 1920
Medium
Illustrated book containing seventy-seven woodcuts with pochoir on wove paper
Dimensions
Sheets: 12 3/8 x 16 15/16 in. (31.5 x 43 cm)
Credit Line
The Robert Gore Rifkind Center for German Expressionist Studies, purchased with funds provided by Anna Bing Arnold, Museum Associates Acquisition Fund, and deaccession funds
Accession Number
83.1.180.1-.77
Classification
Books
Collecting Area
Robert Gore Rifkind Center for German Expressionist Studies
Selected Bibliography

  • Davis, Bruce. German Expressionist Prints and Drawings: The Robert Gore Rifkind Center for German Expressionist Studies. Los Angeles, CA: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1989; Munich, Germany: Prestel, 1989.

  • Reed, Orrel P., German expressionist art: the Robert Gore Rifkind Collection: prints, drawings, illustrated books, periodicals, posters. Exhibition Catalogue. Los Angeles: Frederick S. Wight Art Gallery, University of California, Los Angeles, 1977.