Charles H. Walther
Reversible Composition
1936-1937
Physical Qualities
Oil on composition board, Framed: 35 1/16 × 30 in. (89.1 × 76.2 cm.)
Unframed: 30 1/16 × 25 in. (76.4 × 63.5 cm.)
Credit Line
Bequest of the Artist
Object Number
1938.717
A leading exponent of non-objective art, Charles Walther imbued Reversible Composition with the dynamic motion and geometry associated with the Futurist and Constructivist movements. After studying in Europe, he returned to Baltimore and joined the faculty of the Maryland Institute College of Art, where he taught for more than two decades. In 1920, protesting against the prevailing academic approach to art, Walther became a founder of the Society of Baltimore Independent Artists, which held non-juried shows. Reversible Composition was conceived so that any of its four sides could serve as the top of the painting — an approach that is far from academic. The frame is original to the painting.
Baltimore Museum of Art by bequest, 1938; Charles H. Walther (1879-1938), Baltimore, MD
The Baltimore Museum of Art. "Sixth Annual Exhibition of Maryland Artists," March 5-April 3, inclusive. 1938.
The Baltimore Museum of Art. "Charles H. Walther: A Memorial Exhibition," May 14-28, inclusive. 1939.
The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, Maryland Hall, February 23 - May 23, 1956.
Schleisner Co., Baltimore, MD, November 4-13, 1957.
Sona Johnston and Katy Rothkopf, The Baltimore Museum of Art, 'Maryland Artists from the Collection, 1890-1970,' April 24-October 27, 2002.
Mint Museum of Art, "Southern Modern: 1913-1955". Georgia Museum of Art June 17, 2023- 12 December 2023. Circulated to Frist Art Museum, January 25, 2024- April 21, 2024.
The Baltimore Museum of Art. "Charles H. Walther: A Memorial Exhibition," May 14-28, inclusive. 1939.
The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, Maryland Hall, February 23 - May 23, 1956.
Schleisner Co., Baltimore, MD, November 4-13, 1957.
Sona Johnston and Katy Rothkopf, The Baltimore Museum of Art, 'Maryland Artists from the Collection, 1890-1970,' April 24-October 27, 2002.
Mint Museum of Art, "Southern Modern: 1913-1955". Georgia Museum of Art June 17, 2023- 12 December 2023. Circulated to Frist Art Museum, January 25, 2024- April 21, 2024.
Benskin, Elizabeth, and Suzy Wolffe. "The Art of Technology," Teacher's Guide to the American Collection. Baltimore, MD: Baltimore Museum of Art, 2014, pages 74 and 80.
https://fristartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/Southern-Modern-Educator-Guide-Images.pdf, first page of a museum guide for the Frist Art Museum in Nashville, TN.
Inscribed: Might be under current backing board: (obtained from object file) Typed label, upper top verso on frame: "EXPLANATION / This painting is an attempt at / automatic intuitive composition. / The reversal of this composition / upon its four sides, results in / four automatic changes in the / movements of its forms, moods and / its color dominants. Each position / is complete in itself." (artist's description)
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