The painting “Untitled” (1964) by Manfred Bartling depicts a highly abstracted face in vibrant shades of blue, yellow and orange. The forms are reduced and appear almost playfully composed: a large eye takes centre stage, with a clearly emphasised ear visible below it. The facial features are created primarily through bold blocks of colour and curved lines, ensuring that the face remains clearly recognisable whilst still leaving room for individual interpretation.

A spiral-like movement of dark blue dots and lines wraps around the face, reminiscent of a strand of hair, a necklace or an ornamental decoration. The background in shades of blue and green is interspersed with small light dots, lending the picture a light, almost nocturnal atmosphere. The intense colour and rhythmic arrangement of the forms create a lively, almost musical impression.

Manfred Bartling (1938–2020) was an artist and, together with Elisabeth Bartling, co-founder of the Asyl der Kunst Foundation, which was established in 1999. Through the foundation, they created a place where art can be preserved, exhibited and experienced. A mission that continues to this day.