Marcel Janco, Doda, 1918-19, mixed media collage on paperboard, 56 × 46 cm
Marcel Janco (1895–1984), a seminal figure of the Dada movement, created Doda in 1918–1919—a work that encapsulates his experimental spirit and bold approach to form, texture, and symbolism. Interestingly, the piece is signed and dated “M Janco 1920” on the lower right corner, though research confirms it was actually created earlier, in 1918–1919. On the reverse, Janco himself inscribed the work “Marcel Janco 1920 Étude Fétiche,” linking it to his broader exploration of ritual, abstraction, and constructed identities during the Dada years. Importantly, this artwork was acquired directly from Janco by noted collectors Bill and Acey Wolgin.
A Work at the Crossroads of Dada and Modernism
Doda is not just a painting—it is a layered, mixed-media collage on paperboard (56 × 46 cm) that pulses with Janco’s signature dynamism. In this piece, Janco masterfully blends cardboard, burlap, fabric, and vibrant pigments to construct a fragmented, abstract figure or mask-like form. The title “Doda” evokes the Dada movement itself, while the verso inscription, “Étude Fétiche,” adds a ritualistic, almost spiritual dimension to the work—suggesting the fetishization of modern materials and primitive symbols alike.
Materiality, Color, and Composition
Unlike traditional canvas works, this piece thrives on texture. Corrugated cardboard, tattered burlap, and layered pigment combine to form an object that seems both ancient and radically modern. The use of red, blue, earthy browns, and sharp silvers evoke industrialism, tribal art, and early Cubist abstraction—all at once.
More importantly, the composition refuses hierarchy. There’s no single focal point. Instead, the eye moves across jarring diagonals and uneven textures, drawn into the rhythmic dialogue between soft fiber and jagged color. The result is visual tension—an intentional aesthetic of disorder that reflects the disillusionment and rebellious ethos of post-war European avant-garde.
A Rare Opportunity for Collectors
Signed and dated by the artist, Doda comes with exceptional provenance—acquired directly from Janco by collectors Bill and Acey Wolgin. This direct lineage enhances its authenticity and appeal.
Why It Belongs in Your Collection
Marcel Janco’s Doda is more than a collage; it is a fragment of modernist history. It speaks to a moment when art broke free from convention and dared to redefine meaning, form, and material.
Kings Gallery is a leading fine art gallery established in Jerusalem in 1995. Particularly, we strive to collect and sell the highest quality historic and contemporary Israeli and International art. The gallery specializes primarily in artists from the early period of the 1920’s. Besides, Kings Gallery features leading up-and-coming young artists who will definitely be prominent names in the next few years.
