Art Funded by you

Desk Murder

RB Kitaj, 1970–1984

© The artist courtesy of Marlborough Fine Art

Interior of office with table, desk and three chairs. Subject deals with the legacy of the Holocaust and the banality of evil unleased by faceless bureaucrats. The final title was chosen 14 years after the artist began the painting when he read the obituary of Walter Rauff, 'Schreibtischtaeter' ('desk-murderer'), an SS officer who designed mobile gas vans used before concerntration camps became operational. The fragment of canvas attached to the centre of the work depicts a fume-emitting contraption representing the latter.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Desk Murder, 1970–1984

Date supported

2004

Medium and material

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

76.2 x 121.9 cm

Grant

30000

Total cost

185000

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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