Landscapes and fictional space overlap in the paintings of David Schnell (*1971 in Bergisch Gladbach). While in some works a vanishing point that leads far into the depths of architectural elements exaggerates the spatial construction in the picture, in other paintings architecture and nature are directly intertwined: as if torn apart by a violent explosion, the depiction splinters, creating complex and fascinating entanglements. Ranging from the monochromatic to the prismatic, the special coloration of the paintings also emphasizes the shimmering state of what is being portrayed. Schnell’s works create an impression of incessant speed and destabilization, which ultimately questions the viewer’s perception of time. Our Collector’s Edition features an aquatint etching typical of Schnell’s work, with its architecturally laid-out, strictly three-dimensional construction. The architectural set pieces are radically dissolved as the confrontation with the theme of landscape shifts to the foreground. By employing the central perspective prominent in Renaissance art, the horizon becomes the fundamental element of the engraving, both in terms of composition and content.
