Hans Hoffman - to Miz - Pax Vobiscum

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Hans Hofmann – To Miz – Pax Vobiscum Artist – Artwork Hans Hoffman was born in 1880 & died in 1966. He was a post-war American - German artist. He was 84 when he made this artwork in 1964 for his wife Maria “Miz” Wolfegg who had passed away for a year. The word “Pax Vobiscum” means “let peace be with you” in Latin which show his affection for his wife. This artwork was the second piece of art that he made of his wife to commemorate her death. Most of the artwork he makes is oil painting on canvas so is this art work. The artwork is made by long stokes with of colour red, blue, green, yellow & a bit of black. The square’s right/straight angles can be done by a brush or masking tape the straightness of the painting can be link that his wife make be stubborn, straightforward or even just being bold. The shapes that have contact with the edge are lighter than the shapes that have no contact with the edges. Also the shape of the darker tones colours make out a house shape which may symbolise him house that he and his wife have been living in. Symbolism of colour is used in this artwork by Hoffman, the red symbolises love towards is wife, the blue symbolises depression & trust toward his wife, the green symbolises good luck or misfortune or both as he felt that her death was a misfortune to him but he is encouraging her in her afterlife, the yellow can symbolise both hope & jealousy as Hoffman may feel that it was not fair of her to leave him alive while she is going to the afterlife & still maybe hope that that can still meet each other in their afterlife, the black can symbolise sorrow of that his wife has died, the white can symbolise that the fact that Miz has passed away leaving a blank spot in Hoffman’s heart or a simple & peaceful life in the afterlife. Overall the colours give off a feminine approach since the theme of the artwork is
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