Skt. Adolfina vom Chamäleohn by Adolf Wölfli
Description: "Skt. Adolfina vom Chamäleohn" by Adolf Wölfli is a fantastical and highly detailed work that exemplifies the artist's unique approach to combining imagination with complex visual narratives. Created during his confinement in the Waldau psychiatric hospital in Bern, Switzerland, this artwork features a richly layered composition filled with geometric patterns, ornamental designs, and an array of invented symbols. The title "Skt. Adolfina vom Chamäleohn" merges personal references with mythological elements, presenting an invented saint, "Adolfina," who seems to be connected to a "Chamäleohn" (chameleon), suggesting themes of transformation and multiplicity. This imaginative piece reflects Wölfli's characteristic use of bright, contrasting colors—such as reds, greens, blues, and yellows—interwoven with intricate black outlines, creating a tapestry that is both visually striking and deeply enigmatic.
Adolf Wölfli (1864–1930) is known for his prolific output as a leading figure of Art Brut (Outsider Art). Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Wölfli spent much of his adult life in a psychiatric institution, where he began creating art as a way to process his thoughts and emotions. "Skt. Adolfina vom Chamäleohn" is a testament to his creative genius, blending elements of fantasy, personal mythology, and spiritual symbolism into a cohesive, dense visual narrative. The artwork is filled with invented names, musical notations, and repetitive motifs that create a rhythmic and hypnotic pattern, drawing viewers into Wölfli's complex inner world and his vision of alternate realities filled with hybrid characters and dreamlike landscapes.
Details:
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Location and Date Created: Waldau psychiatric hospital, Bern, Switzerland, early 20th century.
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Medium: Mixed media on paper, including colored pencils, crayons, and graphite.
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Full Artwork Name: Skt. Adolfina vom Chamäleohn by Adolf Wölfli.
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Artwork Style: Art Brut (Outsider Art), Abstract.
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Subject/Topic: A fantastical composition featuring an invented saint, "Adolfina," connected to a chameleon, filled with symbolic elements and intricate patterns, reflecting Wölfli's unique narrative and imaginative world.