Luc Tuymans - Superstition

Luc Tuymans’ Superstition is based on his oil painting from 1994, measuring 46.7 x 41.9 cm. It was first exhibited at his Superstition shows at Portikus in Frankfurt am Main (August 19 – August 22 1994) and at David Zwirner in New York (October 29 – December 3 1994). In 2004, the painting was exhibited as part of Luc Tuymans’ mid-career retrospective at the Tate Modern in London (23 June – 26 September 2004).

“Tuymans has described Superstition as a painting about art and transgression. He has said that he often makes his paintings appear clumsy, and ‘deprived of aesthetics’ so that there is more focus on meaning: ‘Superstition could be a nom de plume for art. Art that transgresses, that transmits. The insect in Superstition sucks you in. It’s almost shamanistic.’” – Tate Modern, 2004.

“The insect (“Superstition”) with its incredible size and color, covers the figure, like a projected black-out of the spectator. Is the insect as a species not the element ‘par excellence’ to translate anonymity? The grateful image offers the determined shape and enormity of a hostile mutant. He or she, who suffers from arachnophobia, unconsciously enlarges the real subject of their fear to unknown proportions. The insect hides this surrender.” – Robert Van Ruysevelt in “Superstition. Luc Tuymans”, Portikus, Frankfurt am Main, 1994.

Belgian artist Luc Tuymans, born in 1958 in Mortsel, stands out as a seminal figure in contemporary painting whose distinctive visual language has shaped the field for decades. Working with a muted palette of pale pastel tones often tinged with brown or grey, he creates atmospheres that feel understated yet emotionally charged. His paintings typically emerge from small-format canvases where everyday objects, architectural fragments, landscapes, and mask-like human figures become subjects of intense observation.

Tuymans’ practice is deeply rooted in the reinterpretation of pre-existing images drawn from photographs, film, and television. By filtering historically charged visuals through his restrained painterly approach, he interrogates the relationship between memory and representation. His works prompt viewers to reconsider familiar narratives surrounding major historical events, engaging with themes such as the world wars, Belgian colonial history, and the aftermath of September 11. Through this reflective process, he opens a space to contemplate the formation of collective memory and cultural identity.

Beyond his paintings, Tuymans also produces limited edition prints that extend his exploration of history and perception to a wider audience. These editions maintain the subtle color schemes and contemplative subjects that define his practice, offering accessible entry points into his artistic investigations. His work is held in leading museum collections worldwide, including the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, The Museum of Modern Art and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, the National Museum of Art in Osaka, and Tate in London. This global presence underscores the enduring significance of his contribution to contemporary art.