TRISTAN ACCORD, 2012

Pen and ink, wash

16.5 x 11.7 inches. 

"For once, Wagner directly transformed life into art. The fatal triangular constellation of Tristan corresponded quite exactly to the composer's life situation at the time. The only difference was that in real life, King Marke in the guise of Otto Wesendonck played an equally unfortunate but incomparably milder role. When Minna Wagner intercepted a love letter to Mathilde timidly titled "Morgenbeichte" (morning confession) and the matter could no longer be hushed up, it was resolved in Wesendonck's house. It went quietly and without murder and manslaughter: Wagner – without Minna – first took off for Venice and then vagabonded through Europe for years while he worked on the Tristan score."

(From: "The small Wagnerian", Enrik Lauer and Regine Müller, C.H. Beck Verlag)