Hildegarde Haas, Bach - English Suite No. 2 in A minor - IV Gigue

Watercolor and mixed pigments on paper, c. 1960's

Signed and titled by the artist.

i. 15 3/4 x 12 3/4 in.

f. 22 3/4 x 19 1/4 in.

Note: Throughout her lifetime Haas had a condition known as synesthesia. Synesthesia, as defined by Wikipedia, is a perceptual phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. Many famous artists, poets, musicians and authors throughout history have had synesthesia including Vincent Van Gogh, Duke Ellington, Billy Joel, and Vladimir Nabokov. Haas' form of synesthesia is known as 'projective synesthesia'. With projective synesthesia Haas saw colors, shapes and/or forms when experiencing audio stimulation. Haas used this condition to her advantage in creating some of her works of art. While working in her studio she would listen to music, and paint what she 'saw'. In her classical music series, created in the 1960s, Haas created paintings while she listened to classical music pieces by Bach, Handel, and Beethoven, and painted what she experienced.