Athos, 1999

Per Kirkeby’s lithograph Athos (1999) captivates with a central, luminous red framed by fields of yellow. Only upon closer inspection does a complex texture of hatching, smudges, and scratch marks reveal itself. The yellow areas condense into rock-like structures – a nod to Kirkeby’s geological interests. The title of this edition refers to Mount Athos, a spiritual center known for its centuries-old monasteries and caves. Kirkeby plays with ambivalence: the red forms at the center of the image open like mysterious mouths, their meaning remaining elusive. With masterful use of lithography, he merges delicate drawing with painterly depth and vibrant color dynamics.