Image

Constant Nieuwenhuys-L'Interrogatoire, 1983

Photographer

Tom Haartsen

Image

l'Interrogatoire

1983
131,0cm
x 141,0cm
linen
oil paint
Private collection, NL

CID

23

Initially, the prisoner was entirely naked, but Constant's girlfriend at the time said it was too much, so he covered him up partially. In the study Constant made for this painting, the man in entirely naked (see Étude pour l'interrogatoire, 1983). 

The background is still reminiscing of the New Babylonian labyrinth with some awkward corners and angles. In stark contrast with the New Babylonian paintings, however, in this painting the people take center stage over the space. 

Constant placed his signature in the open file on the table, hereby putting himself in the place of the prisoner. 

English title

The Interrogation

Alternate titles

Das Verhör
1986 catalog "Constant 1945-1983"
Het verhoor
2008 Constant, de late periode

Signed/dated

Signed Constant, bottom right in black paint

Provenance

1983 Constant
2002 Private collection, NL
Tags
Human cruelty
People
Suffering
War

Frame dimensions

unknown