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Anselm Kiefer

Germany • 1945 57 followers

Art does not reproduce what we see; rather, it makes us see.

Biography

Anselm Kiefer is a German painter born March 8, 1945, in Donaueschingen, Germany. He studied law, languages, and romantic literature, before turning to art by attending the Schools of Fine Arts in Freiburg im Breisgau and Karlsruhe. He then worked in Buchen in Baden-Württemberg then moved to Paris, France.

Born at the end of the Second World War and marked by the tragedy of the Holocaust, Anselm Kiefer wishes to express a German renewal in his works where he mixes painting, photography, books, and sculptures. Fascinated by Judaism, throughout his career Anselm Kiefer explores the theme of Kabbalah, his work is thus part of an existential work of memory and a spiritual quest made up of great myths and Kabbalistic mysticism.

An internationally recognized artist, Kiefer's works are visible in the collections of the largest museums in the world. In October 2007, three of his works entered the Louvre collections. In 2009, for the 20th anniversary of the Opéra Bastille, he designed a musical show entitled Am Anfang, of which he created the concept, staging, sets, and costumes based on biblical texts from the Old Testament. He also received the prestigious 1999 Praemium Imperial Prize in Tokyo and the Peace Prize for German Booksellers and Publishers for 2008.

In February 2023, Anselm Kiefer had a major solo exhibition at the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin titled "Anselm Kiefer: Weltenwende." The exhibition featured over 80 of his works, spanning his entire career, and explored themes of history, mythology, and the human condition. The show was met with critical acclaim, with The New York Times calling it "a monumental and moving retrospective."

In November 2023, Anselm Kiefer was nominated for the Praemium Imperiale, one of the most prestigious international awards for the arts. The award is given annually to artists who have made outstanding contributions to painting, sculpture, architecture, music, literature, and theater.

These recent accolades and recognitions further cement Anselm Kiefer's position as one of the most important and influential artists of our time. His powerful and thought-provoking work continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, and he is sure to continue to make significant contributions to the art world for many years to come.

Nationality

German artists