Anselm Kiefer's artistic journey began in 1965 when he studied Romance languages and law, simultaneously devoting himself to painting. From 1966 to 1968, he honed his skills at the Freiburg painting school, and in 1969, he joined the Karlsruhe Art Academy, where he was mentored by Horst Antes. That same year, Kiefer made headlines for his provocative Hitler salute in Switzerland, France, and Italy, taken with the aim of raising awareness about German Nazi history. The photo series was titled "Occupations," highlighting the numerous cultural roots in the Third Reich.
Kiefer's work repeatedly addressed this topic, and from 1970 to 1972, he studied under Joseph Beuys at the Düsseldorf Art Academy. During this period, he followed the expressive movement and created works in the style of Georg Baselitz, such as wooden interiors associated with German history's mythologies and ideologies. His paintings featured thick layers of paint, which he transformed using axes, fire, lead, fabric, and other materials.
He titled the destruction of these material works, among other things, "Painting of the Scorched Earth" (1974) or "Image Controversy" (1976, 1977, 1978, 1980). Kiefer's artistic language and political statement were inextricably linked, sparking intense discussions, even internationally. He repeatedly employed symbolic, suggestive, and mythical elements from German history in his paintings, guided by his teacher Joseph Beuys.
Throughout his career, Kiefer pushed the boundaries of taboo subjects, such as German National Socialism. He often drew on history painting and, in the late 1980s, focused on Jewish secret teachings and mysticism of Kabbalah. His works in this regard included large lead sculptures like "Bistromland" (1986-1989) and "Poppy and Memory" (1989).
To complement his themes, Kiefer chose various designs, including photo processing, watercolors, and woodcuts. Many of his works are exhibited in international museums, and he has regularly presented at the documenta exhibition in Kassel. Kiefer also creates woodcuts, watercolors, and paints over photos and books. In 1999, he received the "Praemium Imperiale" from the Japan Art Association for his life's work.
In 2007, he unveiled a commissioned work at the Louvre in Paris, and in 2008, he became the first visual artist to receive the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade.
