Paper

Student Artwork Guide

POWERLESSNESS:1

Thomas Riesner, 2022

Name Class Date
Thomas Riesner, POWERLESSNESS:1 (2022). Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Thomas Riesner topimpressionists.com/en/artists/thomas-riesner/
Artist’s dates
1971 –
Painted
2022
Medium
Indian Ink
Original size
41 x 30 cm
Movement
Art Brut
Period
Contemporary
Artistic style
Art Brut, minimalist
Notable elements
Red paint on face, black lines
Subject or theme
Distress and pain

Copyright This work is treated as still under copyright. Thomas Riesner was born in 1971 and has no recorded death date; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.

Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 13, 2026

POWERLESSNESS:1 — Thomas Riesner Part 1 · The artwork

In context

POWERLESSNESS:1 — Thomas Riesner

How big is it?

The original measures 41 × 30 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1970
  2. 1980
  3. 1990
  4. 2000
  5. 2010
  6. 2020

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span, counting 0 from birth.

Painted when the artist was 51. 29 of the 53 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

▲ this work, 2022 every dated painting, decade by decade

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/thomas-riesner-powerlessness-1-D3GPVJ-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Black #090620

    Catalogued palette

    • #090620
    • #0E3CD5
    • #E0D5EA
    • #81497F

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Dark The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Black
    Intensity
    Vivid How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Deep_shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Vivid Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Thomas Riesner over the last twelve months — 2 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 85.7%
    2. 2 Germany 14.3%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 15 most looked-at works by Thomas Riesner

    1. 1 Arrive 2, 2022 17.6%
    2. 2 Shadow 1, 2023 11.8%
    3. 3 Soul Maze: 1, 2023 5.9%
    4. 4 Subsoil 15×21cm Ink ×paper 2022, 2022 5.9%
    5. 5 Dread 2 15×21cm Ink ×paper 2022, 2022 5.9%
    6. 6 Go in 1(1), 2023 5.9%
    7. 7 Nightmarish 2 15×21cm Ink ×paper 2022, 2022 5.9%
    8. 8 Soul Maze :2, 2023 5.9%
    9. 9 Feeling Faint 1 15×21cm Ink ×paper 2022, 2022 5.9%
    10. 10 Untitled, 2019 5.9%
    11. 11 Untitled, 2019 5.9%
    12. 12 Untitled, 2019 5.9%
    13. 13 Untitled, 2019 5.9%
    14. 14 IMAGE:21, 2019 5.9%
    15. — POWERLESSNESS:1, 2022 this painting 0.0%

    Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 53 works by this artist, of which 14 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 13, 2026

    POWERLESSNESS:1 — Thomas Riesner Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    POWERLESSNESS:1 — Thomas Riesner

    The Raw Resonance of Human Vulnerability

    In the evocative realm of contemporary expressionism, few works capture the visceral essence of human suffering as poignantly as Thomas Riesner’s POWERLESSNESS:1. Created in 2022, this striking piece serves as a profound window into the psyche, inviting viewers to confront the raw, unadultered emotions that lie beneath the surface of our daily existence. The painting presents a figure submerged in a deep, melancholic blue, a color choice that immediately establishes an atmosphere of isolation and introspection. This cool, expansive backdrop acts as a silent stage for the central drama: a face marked by streaks of crimson red, suggesting tears of blood or the physical manifestation of internal agony. Through this stark contrast, Riesner masterfully utilizes color to bridge the gap between the seen and the felt, making the invisible weight of despair tangible to the observer.

    The technical execution of POWERLESSNESS:1 is deeply rooted in the Art Brut tradition, a movement celebrated for its rejection of conventional aesthetic standards in favor of spontaneous, uninhibited creativity. Riesner employs a technique that feels both deliberate and instinctive, utilizing sharp black lines that cut through the composition like fractures in a breaking spirit. These linework elements do not merely outline a form; they add a layer of rhythmic tension, contributing to the overall sense of fragmentation and psychological unrest. The use of Indian ink provides a certain permanence and depth to these marks, ensuring that every stroke carries the weight of the artist's intent. For collectors and enthusiasts of modern abstraction, this piece offers a masterclass in how minimalist composition can achieve maximum emotional density.

    Beyond its visual impact, the artwork functions as a powerful symbol of the ephemeral nature of human strength. The title itself, POWERLESSNESS:1, acts as a haunting refrain, prompting a reflection on those moments in life when we are stripped of our agency and left to face our shadows alone. This theme of transitoriness is a hallmark of Riesner’s oeuvre, reflecting a broader philosophical inquiry into the fragility of the human condition. For interior designers and curators, this painting offers more than just a focal point; it provides a conversational depth that can anchor a room with its contemplative gravity. Whether displayed in a private gallery or as a centerpiece in a sophisticated contemporary living space, POWERLESSNESS:1 remains an enduring testament to the beauty found within the most difficult of human experiences.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 13, 2026

    POWERLESSNESS:1 — Thomas Riesner Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Thomas Riesner

    Born in Leipzig, Germany

    early life and the genesis of artistic expression

    thomas riesner, born in 1971 in leipzig, germany, embarked on his artistic journey in the early 1990s. this period marked the beginning of an intensive engagement with painting, which would eventually become the cornerstone of his oeuvre.

    artistic genre and medium diversification

    thomas riesner's work is intrinsically linked to the art brut genre, characterized by its raw, unbridled expression. his creative palette extends beyond painting, incorporating drawing, etching, and other mediums. this versatility not only showcases his technical dexterity but also underscores his innate desire for experimentation.

    notable artworks and their significance

    powerlessness:1 (41 x 30 cm, art brut, indian ink) - a poignant example of riesner's ability to evoke powerful emotions through minimalist compositions.

    transitoriness (41 x 30 cm, art brut, indian ink) - this piece encapsulates the ephemeral nature of human experience, a theme prevalent in riesner's body of work.

    untitled (20 x 25 cm, art brut, indian ink) - demonstrates riesner's propensity for exploring the abstract, often resulting in deeply introspective pieces.

    museum collections and online platforms

    while thomas riesner's work is not exclusively housed in a single museum, his art can be found on various online platforms. for enthusiasts and collectors, AllPaintingsStore's collection of thomas riesner's artworks serves as an invaluable resource, offering a comprehensive overview of his artistic trajectory.

    conclusion

    thomas riesner's oeuvre, characterized by its unflinching honesty and creative experimentation, solidifies his position within the art brut movement. as we continue to navigate the complexities of human emotion through art, riesner's work stands as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of creativity.

    visit thomas riesner's powerlessness:1 to delve deeper into his art brut expression.

    explore the thomas riesner gallery on AllPaintingsStore for an extensive collection of his artworks.

    discover more about thomas riesner's artistic world and the art brut movement through these resources: the museum collection hugo fischer (bühl, germany) thomas riesner | AllPaintingsStore

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for POWERLESSNESS:1

    topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/thomas-riesner-powerlessness-1-D3GPVJ-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Riesner, Thomas. POWERLESSNESS:1. 2022, https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/thomas-riesner-powerlessness-1-D3GPVJ-en/
    APA
    Riesner, Thomas (2022). POWERLESSNESS:1 [Painting]. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/thomas-riesner-powerlessness-1-D3GPVJ-en/
    Chicago
    Thomas Riesner. POWERLESSNESS:1. 2022. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/thomas-riesner-powerlessness-1-D3GPVJ-en/
    Harvard
    Riesner, Thomas (2022) POWERLESSNESS:1. Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/thomas-riesner-powerlessness-1-D3GPVJ-en/

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 13, 2026

    POWERLESSNESS:1 — Thomas Riesner Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    POWERLESSNESS:1 — Thomas Riesner

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: person, blue background, red paint. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Fear 2 15×21cm Ink ×paper 2022 (2022), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Thomas Riesner was about 51 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 13, 2026

    POWERLESSNESS:1 — Thomas Riesner Part 5 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    Who is the author of "POWERLESSNESS:1", and in which movement?

    Thomas Riesner created "POWERLESSNESS:1" within the Art Brut movement.

    Where does "POWERLESSNESS:1" stand among Thomas Riesner's recurring subjects?

    "POWERLESSNESS:1" depicts person, blue background, red paint, black lines, face, while Thomas Riesner's recorded themes are art brut style, raw unbridled expression, minimalist composition, evokes powerful emotions, experimental medium usage. Comparing the two shows how the work relates to the artist's usual subjects.

    How strong are the colors of "POWERLESSNESS:1"?

    "POWERLESSNESS:1" by Thomas Riesner is recorded with a vivid color saturation and a vivid intensity.

    What emotional tone accompanies the Art Brut style of "POWERLESSNESS:1"?

    Within the Art Brut movement, "POWERLESSNESS:1" is recorded with a dramatic tone.

    What are the medium and date of "POWERLESSNESS:1" by Thomas Riesner?

    "POWERLESSNESS:1" was created in 2022 using the indian ink technique. Material and date describe how and when the original was made.

    Is "POWERLESSNESS:1" by Thomas Riesner a bright or a dark artwork?

    In terms of perceived brightness, "POWERLESSNESS:1" by Thomas Riesner is deep_shadow.

    What palette and what feeling does "POWERLESSNESS:1" combine?

    The dark palette of "POWERLESSNESS:1" by Thomas Riesner goes together with its dramatic emotional tone. Color is one of the ways a work conveys feeling.

    What are the format and size of "POWERLESSNESS:1"?

    "POWERLESSNESS:1" by Thomas Riesner is a portrait composition measuring 41 x 30 cm in the original.