Anselm Kiefers Artwork and Influences
In the world of contemporary art, the German artist Anselm Kiefer is known for his massive and aggressive paintings. His revolutionary nature and focus on Germanys history and mythology, particularly the Holocaust, have played a significant role in shaping his artistic vision.
Revolutionary Nature of Kiefers Artworks
Kiefer’s artworks are characterized by their monumental size, often spanning entire walls or entire rooms. His use of thick layers of paint and intense color creates a sense of physicality that engages the viewer’s senses.
According to Kiefer, his works are an attempt to confront the brevity of human existence, and the vastness of the universe. Perhaps one of his most striking works is The Order of the Angels.
This painting features a massive skeleton, drawn in charcoal, covered with a mixture of paint, straw, and hair. The painting speaks to Kiefer’s fascination with the destruction and rebirth of human civilization.
Focus on Germany’s History and Mythology, Particularly the Holocaust
The Holocaust is one of the most significant events in modern German history, and Kiefer’s work reflects this fact. His paintings often incorporate disturbing imagery, including swastikas, and references to the concentration camps.
One of his works, The Ash Flower, is a striking example of this focus on the Holocaust. The painting features a Jewish prayer shawl, which is covered in a layer of ash mixed with sand.
It is a powerful reminder of the devastation that the Holocaust caused and the collective guilt of all Germans. Kiefer’s work is also frequently informed by German history before the war.
He references mythology from the country’s pagan past, as well as its romantic literature. His paintings are a reflection of Germany’s vibrant cultural heritage and its troubled past.
Anselm Kiefer’s Childhood and Early Life
Anselm Kiefer was born in Germany in 1945. His childhood was marked by the post-war reconstruction of his country, and he grew up in the Rhine valley near the Black Forest.
His father was an art instructor, and Kiefer’s childhood was filled with exposure to the arts. After graduating from school, Kiefer initially studied law and Romance language studies at the Albert-Universitat.
However, his love of visual art soon led him to the Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Kunste, where he honed his skills as a painter and sculptor.
In Conclusion
Anselm Kiefer is an artist who has had a profound impact on the contemporary art world. His revolutionary nature, coupled with his focus on Germany’s history and mythology, has resulted in paintings that are powerful, visceral, and unforgettable.
Kiefer’s childhood and early life are also interesting because of his exposure to the arts from an early age. Overall, Kiefer’s work and life provide a fascinating glimpse into the troubled and complex history of Germany and its exploration through art.
Anselm Kiefer’s Mature Work and Influences
Anselm Kiefer’s artistic career underwent significant changes when he moved from his native Germany to the Staatliche Kunstakademie in Dsseldorf in the 1970s. There, he encountered the renowned artist and teacher, Joseph Beuys, and began experimenting with photography before shifting his focus to painting.
Encounter with Joseph Beuys and Shift to Painting
In the Staatliche Kunstakademie, Kiefer was introduced to the work of Joseph Beuys, who had a profound impact on Kiefer’s artistic development. Beuys was known for his use of unconventional materials, including animal fat and felt, and his belief in the healing power of art.
Kiefer was initially drawn to photography but gradually shifted his focus to the medium of painting. In the early 1980s, Kiefer began producing landscape paintings that were inspired by his upbringing in the Rhineland.
The paintings featured raw materials, including straw, ash, and lead, and were characterized by their monumental size and dark imagery.
Exploration of German History and Traditions in his Art
Kiefer’s mature work is marked by his interest in German history and traditions. He took inspiration from the Romantic tradition of painting, particularly the work of German painter Caspar David Friedrich.
Kiefer was also influenced by the operas of Wilhelm Richard Wagner, particularly his treatment of the mythological Germanic past. In his artworks, Kiefer explored the German past, incorporating references to folklore, myths, and legends.
He produced a series of works called “Heroic Symbols,” which included depictions of famous Germanic legends like Sigurd the Dragon-Slayer and the Valkyries.
Anselm Kiefer’s Later Life and Legacy
In the later years of his life, Kiefer relocated to France after a difficult divorce.
There, he purchased a silk mill and transformed it into a Gesamtkunstwerk, or total work of art, incorporating his studio, home, and thousands of artworks.
Relocation and Creation of a Large Artistic Facility in France
Kiefer’s move to France allowed him to expand his practice to include sculpture, installation, and mixed media works. He began creating abstract series devoted to the universe, such as his Cosmos series, which featured paintings and sculptures based on scientific theories.
Continued Exploration of Different Subjects and Mediums
Throughout his career, Kiefer explored a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, and text. He was influenced by Russian Futurist Velimir Khlebnikov and explored similar ideas about language in his work, creating pieces that combined text, poetry, and mythology.
Kiefer’s interest in literature was also evident in his engagement with the poetry of Paul Celan. Kiefer produced a series of works dedicated to Celan’s poetry, exploring the theme of remembrance and the legacy of the Holocaust.
Influence on Subsequent Artists and Legacy
Kiefer’s work had a significant impact on contemporary art, particularly the Neo-Expressionist movement. He was known for using unusual materials, including lead, ash, and dried flowers, and for creating three-dimensional canvases that broke with traditional painting conventions.
Artists such as Dan Colen and Zhang Huan draw influence from Kiefer’s use of materials and his focus on history and national identity. Kiefer’s works reflect the intersections between personal and national identity, grappling with the trauma of the Holocaust and the complexities of German history.
His artistic legacy continues to inspire subsequent generations of artists.
In Conclusion
Anselm Kiefer’s artistic career was marked by a sustained exploration of German history and traditions. His encounter with Joseph Beuys and his subsequent shift to painting allowed him to produce massive and aggressive works that confronted the brevity of human existence.
In his mature works, Kiefer explored the German past and traditions, incorporating references to folklore, myths, and legends. In France, he continued to expand his practice to include sculpture, installation, and mixed media works, exploring new themes such as the universe and language.
His influence on subsequent artists is best exemplified by the Neo-Expressionist movement, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists to this day. Anselm Kiefer’s Artwork Descriptions
Anselm Kiefer is known for his massive and powerful artworks that explore themes of German history, mythology, and spirituality.
Among his most influential works are “Occupations,” “German Spiritual Heroes,” “Varus,” and “Margarete.” These are just a few of his many creations, but they provide an excellent example of Kiefer’s artistic vision and the techniques he used to create his memorable artwork. “Occupations” (1969)
“Occupations,” created in 1969, features controversial self-portraits that depict Kiefer giving the Nazi salute.
The artwork caused a considerable stir in German society, as it touched on the country’s painful past and its ongoing reckoning with the Holocaust. In creating the art, Kiefer sought to explore his own identity as a German after World War II.
He used photographs to create collages, and then painted over them with a layer of watercolor. “German Spiritual Heroes” (1973)
In 1973, Kiefer created “German Spiritual Heroes,” an oil and charcoal painting that features a wooden building with a charred roof.
The work was commissioned for the German Pavilion at the Venice Biennale that year and was intended to represent an allegory of Germany. The painting includes the text “The eternal spirit is the germ of flowers,” indicating a kernel of hope amidst the barren landscape.
“Varus” (1976)
“Varus” is a painting that Kiefer created in 1976. The artwork features oil and acrylic on burlap and is a tribute to the famous battle of Teutoburg Forest.
The battle was fought in the year 9 AD and saw the Germanic tribes, led by Hermann Arminius, triumph over the Roman army. The painting has dark colors and a textured surface, with the brown hues providing a sense of earthiness.
“Margarete” (1981)
“Margarete” is an oil and straw painting that Kiefer created in 1981. It is a tribute to the Romanian poet Paul Celan, who wrote about the Holocaust and the loss of his own parents in the concentration camps.
The painting is a reflection of grief and memory and features the text of Celan’s poem “Todesfuge” (“Death Fugue”), a powerful symbol of the Holocaust. The painting also features a three-dimensional element, as real straw is attached to the canvas.
In Conclusion
Anselm Kiefer’s artwork is characterized by its size, power, and visually striking use of materials. His exploration of German history, mythology, and spirituality provided a rich source of inspiration that allowed him to create a range of artwork that confronts the viewer with profound and complex themes.
The artworks, “Occupations,” “German Spiritual Heroes,” “Varus,” and “Margarete,” are just a few examples of Kiefer’s work, but they demonstrate his mastery of different mediums and his ability to evoke powerful emotions in his viewers. The paintings provide a glimpse into Kiefer’s unique artistic vision and his contributions to the contemporary art world.
Anselm Kiefer’s artwork is a testament to his revolutionary nature and his exploration of German history, mythology, and spirituality. His massive and aggressive paintings, such as “Occupations,” and “Varus,” challenge societal norms and confront the painful past of Nazi Germany.
Kiefer’s use of unconventional materials, such as straw and ash in “Margarete,” adds depth and texture to his works. Through his art, Kiefer invites viewers to reflect on their own identities and the complex legacies of history.
The importance of grappling with these challenging themes is not to be underestimated. Anselm Kiefer’s art leaves a lasting impression, reminding us of the power of art to provoke, ignite contemplation, and shed light on the profound aspects of our shared human experience.