Anselm Kiefer Walhalla (2016)

Background:

Anselm Kiefer is a German contemporary artist born on March 8, 1945, in Donaueschingen, Germany and emerged as a prominent figure in the art world during the latter half of the 20th century and continues to influence contemporary art.

Piece: This piece made by Anselm Kiefer made in 2016 was created using oil, acrylic, emulsion and shellac on canvas, and was created in 3 parts. Generally, Kiefer's works often deal with historical and cultural themes, particularly Germany's post-World War II identity, drawing from his German roots. His art is characterized by use of ideas homogenous with mythology, history, literature, and philosophy. One of the most distinctive characteristics of Kiefer's artwork, perfectly exemplified in Walhalla (above) is his use of various materials, such as lead, straw, and ash, to create textured and layered surfaces. His pieces often convey a sense of decay, transformation, and the passage of time. I particularly find attraction and interest in his pieces because of the dense texturing that leads to hints of form in the distance while also maintaining a poignant abstractness that complements his style of art. Walhalla (2016) Articles: Anselm Kiefer Raises History’s Ghosts https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/18/arts/design/anselm-kiefer.html Into the Black Forest With the Greatest Living Artist https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/12/magazine/anselm-kiefer-art.html