17134 („Von Nichts kommt nichts …“) 1932

This paper collage by John Elsas presents a vertical figure, its body composed of horizontally stacked, brightly colored planes, topped with a pointed hat, all set against a muted ground. The overall impact is a playful, yet geometrically precise assembly of form. Elsas’s construction employs basic shapes and a limited palette to create a figure that is both whimsical and structurally sound. Note how the horizontal bands of colour create a sense of rhythm, with darker tones anchoring the base, while lighter, more vibrant hues ascend towards the peak of the character’s hat. This technique gives the figure a grounded yet buoyant presence. The figure's construction can be seen as a commentary on the essential building blocks of identity, and how simple elements can combine to form complex structures. The piece is an invitation to see the potential in fundamental forms and colours, challenging us to find richness and depth in apparent simplicity.