Georg Baselitz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Georg Baselitz
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Georg Baselitz in a photograph by Oliver Mark
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| Born | 23 January 1938 Deutschbaselitz, Germany
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| Nationality | German, Austrian |
| Known for | Painting, sculpture, graphic design |
| Movement | Neo-expressionism |
| Spouse(s) | Johanna Elke Kretzschmar |
Georg Baselitz (born January 23, 1938) is a famous German painter, sculptor, and graphic artist. He became well known in the 1960s for his strong, expressive paintings. In 1969, he started painting his subjects upside down. He did this to make people focus on the painting itself, not just what it showed.
Baselitz grew up during the destruction of World War II. This experience greatly influenced his art. He once said he was born into a "destroyed order" and wanted to question everything. By turning things upside down, he challenges how we usually see the world. This unique style has become his most famous artistic choice.
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Life Story of Georg Baselitz
Georg Baselitz was born Hans-Georg Kern on January 23, 1938. This was in Deutschbaselitz, a small town in what became East Germany. His father was a teacher, and they lived in the school building.
Georg went to school in Kamenz. He was inspired by a painting called Wermsdorfer Wald by Louis-Ferdinand von Rayski. By age 15, he was already painting portraits, religious scenes, and landscapes.
In 1955, he tried to study art in Dresden but was not accepted. The next year, he got into an art school in East Berlin. However, he was expelled after two semesters. This was because his ideas did not fit with the socialist government of East Germany.
In 1957, he moved to West Berlin and continued his studies. There, he met Johanna Elke Kretzschmar, who later became his wife. He learned about different art theories and became friends with other artists. In 1961, he changed his name to Georg Baselitz. This was a way to honor his hometown.
Since 2013, he and his wife have lived in Salzburg, Austria. They also became Austrian citizens in 2015. They have two sons, Daniel Blau and Anton Kern, who both run art galleries.
Georg Baselitz's Artworks
Early Works (1957–1969)
Around 1959-1960, Baselitz started creating his own unique style of art. In 1963, his first solo art show in West Berlin caused a big scandal. Two of his paintings were taken away by the police. They said the content was offensive. The court case about this lasted until 1965.
In 1964, Baselitz started making etchings, which are a type of printmaking. He found this art form to have a "symbolic power." He also spent time in Florence, Italy, studying Mannerism art. Baselitz found inspiration from many artists and writers. These included Edvard Munch and Jean Dubuffet.
The Heroes and Fractures Series
After returning from Florence, Baselitz created his famous Heroes series (1965-1966). These paintings show lonely, broken figures in empty landscapes. They represent people who have lost their way. They also show the artist's own childhood experiences. These figures often have open hands, as if calling out.
By 1969, he also made Fracture Pictures. These included large paintings like Woodsmen.
Upside-Down Paintings
Building on his Fractures series, Baselitz painted his first upside-down picture in 1969. It was called The Wood On Its Head. He used a painting from his childhood as a model. By painting things upside down, he wanted viewers to focus on the colors and shapes. He wanted them to see the painting as an object, not just a story. This way, the paintings are meant to be looked at, not deeply interpreted.
Later Works (1970–1989)
In the 1970s, Baselitz often showed his art in Munich. He painted many landscapes that looked like pictures within pictures. In 1970, his drawings and prints had their first big show in Basel, Switzerland. He also started using a fingerpainting technique in 1972.
In 1975, he visited New York and Brazil. In 1976, he rented a studio in Florence, Italy. He began teaching at an art academy in Karlsruhe in 1977. From 1978 to 1980, he created large linocuts and multi-part paintings. His works became more abstract, with writing-like elements. In 1980, he showed his first sculpture at the Venice Biennale.
In the 1980s, Baselitz spent more time on sculpture. He also started using Christian themes in his art. He became a professor in Berlin in 1983. His work was shown often in Germany. In 1989, he received an award from the French Minister of Arts.
Recent Works (1990–Present)
In 1990, Baselitz had his first major art show in East Germany. In 1993, he designed the set for an opera in Amsterdam. He also showed a large sculpture and drawings at the Venice Biennale. In 1995, a big show of his art traveled across the US. This included stops in New York, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles. His art was shown often in Europe throughout the 1990s.
From 2006, he lived and worked near Munich and in Italy. His art was shown in London in 2007 and 2009.
In 2013, Baselitz made some controversial comments about women artists. He said that "women don't paint very well." Many art critics disagreed with him. They pointed out that the art market does not always show true quality. They also noted that some female artists' works sold for more than his.
Today, Baselitz is still an active artist. He often paints quiet portraits of himself and his wife. These paintings use dark colors. They make people think about life, death, and getting older.
For his 80th birthday in 2018, several museums held special shows of his art. These included museums in Munich, Basel, and Washington D.C. In 2019, he had exhibitions in New York and Venice, Italy. He also curated a special show for his friend, the artist Emilio Vedova. In 2021, a major show of his work opened at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
Art Style of Georg Baselitz
Baselitz became famous in the 1970s for his upside-down images. He is seen as a revolutionary painter. He makes viewers think and sparks their interest. The subjects of his paintings are less important than the way they look.
Throughout his career, Baselitz has changed his style. He has used different textures and colors. Since the 1990s, his style has become clearer and smoother. His recent drawings and paintings show him looking back at his earlier work. He often revisits and changes his old ideas. This shows a thoughtful and free artistic approach.
Awards and Honors
Georg Baselitz has received many awards for his art.
- 1965: Villa Romana Prize
- 1986: Goslarer Kaiserring
- 1987: Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (a French honor)
- 1999: Honorary member of the Royal Academy of Arts, London
- 2004: Praemium Imperiale (a major international art award)
- 2005: Austrian Decoration for Science and Art
- 2012: Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur (a high French honor)
See also
- List of German painters
