About Georg Baselitz

Georg Baselitz is a German painter and sculptor renowned for his inverted imagery and profound exploration of German history and identity. Born in 1938 in Deutschbaselitz, Germany, he has become one of the foremost figures in his generation, significantly influencing the realm of Neo-Expressionism that prevailed in German art during the 1970s and 1980s.

Baselitz’s innovative approach to creating artworks is characterized by his unique inversion technique, where he paints subjects upside down—a method he adopted in the 1960s to disrupt traditional views on representation and meaning in art. This technique, integral to his paintings and prints, compels viewers to reconsider their perceptions and the significance of the artwork, often invoking feelings of disquiet.

Baselitz’s artwork draws from a variety of influences, including Soviet-era illustrations, Mannerist art, and African sculpture, which inform both his thematic focus and stylistic execution. His artwork not only challenges the aesthetic boundaries of painting and printmaking but also delves deeply into questions of national identity post-World War Two, prompting a reevaluation of what it means to be German.

Through his extensive body of work, which includes limited edition prints and monumental sculptures, Baselitz has consistently advocated for the relevance of painting as a critical artistic expression in the contemporary world. His commitment to producing paintings and fine art prints has expanded the understanding of these media, emphasizing their continued importance in communicating complex historical and personal narratives.

Notable exhibitions

Georg Baselitz rose to prominence with his controversial solo exhibition at Galerie Werner & Katz in Berlin (1963), followed by international exposure at documenta 5 (1972) and documenta 7 (1982).

Major retrospectives at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (1995) and the Royal Academy of Arts, London (2007) cemented his status as a leading Neo-Expressionist.

In recent years, Baselitz – Academy at the Fondation Beyeler (2022) and Archinto at the Palazzo Grimani during the Venice Biennale (2022) highlighted his continued relevance and evolving practice.