Anselm Kiefer

Artist info

Anselm Kiefer is one of the internationally most distinguished artists of our time. He is primarily known for his intensive exploration of German history. Hitler's architecture and German legends served him as motifs. Furthermore he explores a broad range of themes his paintings, installations and artist books, among them mythology and identity as well as alchemy, religion and Jewish mysticism. His works are sculpture and painting in one and the diversity of materials he uses seems to be boundless. They are symbols for movement and transience and the quest for the personal identity. Anselm Kiefer studied with Joseph Beuys. In 2008 he received the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade as the first representative of the fine arts. He participated in the documenta in Kassel three times, received the prize of the jury of the Venice Biennale in 1997 as well as the Goslar Award for Modern Art (Kaiserring) and the Praemium Imperiale.

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Fun Fact

At the end of 2007 Anselm Kiefer is said to have donated several large lead sculptures to the French village of Barjac, where he lived at the time, which were also placed in the middle of the village. After a short time, however, they disappeared. Of course, professional art thieves were suspected behind the theft. It turned out, however, that it had been the act of a scrap dealer who had immediately melted the lead and used it to seal boats. He had no idea how much it was worth.