Thomas Schütte
Thomas Schütte, born 1954 in Oldenburg, Germany, lives and works in Düsseldorf. One of the most influential German artists of his generation, Schütte has developed a highly diverse and independent body of work spanning sculpture, drawing, architecture, and printmaking. Known for his exploration of the human figure, Schütte often combines monumentality with vulnerability, humor with melancholy. His works oscillate between political commentary and existential reflection, and he frequently questions the role of art and the artist in society. Whether building model-like architectural structures or sculpting expressive heads and figures, Schütte challenges conventional categories with a practice that is both conceptually rigorous and deeply personal.
Thomas Schütte Editions
Regal (Shelf)
2006
From Door Cycle
Hollow-core wood door panel construction, stained. Size: 215 x 99.5 x 40 cm (84¾ x 39¼ x 15¾ in). Edition: 6, signed and numbered on separate label.
Thomas Schütte’s Regal (Shelf) edition is a sculptural bookshelf that blurs the boundary between functional design and conceptual artwork. Part of his exploration of “new proposals for living,” the piece derives from a group of works first exhibited at Marian Goodman Gallery in 2005 – a continuation of his long-standing engagement with usable forms and model architectures. Constructed from hollow-core wood door panels and stained in a deep, saturated hue, the bookshelf is minimal yet subtly unconventional – its rhythmic side perforations suggesting both craftsmanship and modular potential. As with much of Schütte’s work, Regal reflects a thoughtful engagement with everyday forms, offering a poetic and practical meditation on how we inhabit space.
Sophie
2005
Published for the 51st Venice Biennale
Etching from two Nylo plates on Somerset rag paper, 75.5 x 57 cm (29¾ x 22½ in). Edition of 50, signed and numbered.
This etching edition by Thomas Schütte captures a quiet moment of presence through the simplicity of line and the subtlety of tone. The figure, wearing a hooded jacket and rendered with gentle outlines against a pale blue ground, appears both direct and introspective. With minimal gestures, Schütte conveys individuality and emotion, balancing intimacy with restraint. The subject’s calm, open gaze and the soft, almost ghostly handling of form evoke a sense of immediacy and vulnerability. Sophie exemplifies Schütte’s gift for portraiture that is neither idealised nor detached, but human, empathetic, and quietly monumental.
This work was published on the occasion of the Venice Biennale in the year Thomas Schütte was awarded the Golden Lion for Best Artist – a milestone that marked his international acclaim.
€ 2,000 € 1,200 / $1,350 shipping costs included
