Anselm Kiefer is an internationally renowned multidisciplinary artist. A painter, sculptor, and photographer, Kiefer explores themes of history, memory, and mythology in his work.
After studying law, Kiefer turned to art and studied at the Düsseldorf Academy of Fine Arts under Joseph Beuys. From his earliest works in the 1970s, he questioned German identity and the Nazi past, sometimes sparking controversy. His large-scale paintings incorporate raw materials like straw, lead, and ash, creating textured, evocative surfaces. Kiefer draws inspiration from literature, poetry, and myths, reinterpreting figures such as Isis, Osiris, and Lilith. Over the decades, Kiefer has expanded his practice to monumental sculpture and installation, creating immersive works that transform space. His work is exhibited in the world's leading museums, and he has received numerous awards, including the Praemium Imperiale in 1999. Anselm Kiefer lives and works between France and Germany. His oeuvre, deeply rooted in European history and culture, offers a powerful meditation on memory, trauma, and the possibility of transcendence through art.