17357 (_The mother says …_) 1932

"17357 (_The mother says …_)” is a 1932 collage by German artist John Elsas, currently housed in the Städel Museum. The piece features two figures in a simple, childlike style. The figures are constructed from cut paper, with geometric shapes for bodies and limbs, and with a variety of colors, textures and patterns used for the clothing and accessories. The German text at the bottom of the collage is a quote from the mother, adding a narrative element to the work. Elsas’s use of collage exemplifies the experimentation with mixed media and new forms of expression during the early 20th century.