Skip to Main Content

Due to required maintenance, some galleries and artwork may be off view. Learn more.

Open today: 10am-8:45pm

c. 1921

Merz Construction

Kurt Schwitters

German, 1887 - 1948

This construction is a classic example of Merz, an art form invented by Kurt Schwitters that included collage, poetry, graphic design, and sculpture. Schwitters adopted the name from a 1918 assemblage that included the fragment “merz” excerpted from a poster for the Commerz und Privatbank (Commercial and Private Bank). His brightly colored collages and assemblages celebrate the potential of leftover materials while blurring the boundary between art and life.

This record is part of an ongoing effort to share accurate and evolving information. If you notice anything we should improve, we welcome your feedback at [email protected]

Images on this site are shared for educational use. For image rights, permissions, or to learn more about image rights and access, email [email protected]

Kurt Schwitters, Merz Construction, c. 1921 | Philadelphia Museum of Art