Ralf Metzenmacher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ralf Metzenmacher
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Metzenmacher in 2009
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| Born | July 26, 1964 |
| Died | August 3, 2020 (aged 56) |
| Nationality | German |
| Education | Aachen University of Applied Sciences (FH Aachen): Product Design |
| Known for | Painting, Design |
| Movement | Retro-Art, Pop art, Still life |
Ralf Metzenmacher (July 26, 1964 – August 3, 2020) was a German painter and designer. He was known for creating "Retro-Art," which mixed art with product design. Metzenmacher saw Retro-Art as a modern version of 17th-century still life painting and a new step for Pop art.
Contents
About Ralf Metzenmacher
His Life Story
Ralf Metzenmacher was born in Aachen, Germany. He studied design at Aachen University from 1986 to 1991. There, he learned about object and product design, focusing on painting and drawing.
From 1991 to 2004, he worked as a designer for the sports brand Puma. He helped turn Puma into a global sports and lifestyle brand. Towards the end of his time there, he was a director for footwear and accessories.
Even while working as a designer, Metzenmacher spent more and more time painting. He created many paintings, including scenes from everyday life and still life art. These works are shown in his book, "The other world." From 2004 onwards, he worked as a full-time artist in Bamberg.
Retro-Art Explained
What is Retro-Art?
Metzenmacher used his painting style to surprise people by bringing back old ideas in new ways. He called himself a "paintbrush artist." He also called his art spaces "schooruum," which sounds like "showroom."
He created the term "Retro-Art" for his unique painting style. He wanted this mix of art and design to become a recognized part of the Fine art world. The word "retro" became popular in the 1990s in things like movies, fashion, and music. It described a style that looked back at the past.
How Retro-Art is Like Pop Art
Retro-Art painting uses bright, strong colors and simple shapes, much like Pop art. However, Pop art usually mixes art with graphics, like comics or ads. Retro-Art, on the other hand, combines art with product design.
"Classic" Pop art often shows flat images of American symbols. But Retro-Art uses 3D-like pictures. It also looks at current topics and trends in youth culture and lifestyle.
Bringing Back Still Life Painting
Some of Metzenmacher's paintings, like "The Crown," have dream-like elements. These might remind you of Salvador Dalí's work. But Metzenmacher saw himself as a modern artist who updated the classic still life painting style.
He was greatly influenced by the still life paintings of Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán and Italian artist Giorgio Morandi.
Retro-Art is like a "revival" of 17th-century still life painting. Metzenmacher mostly painted modern still life pictures. He chose simple everyday items, like cigars or cars. He then showed them in unusual ways. He also used well-known symbols from art history, like mussels or snails, often changing them.
His paintings show objects with great detail. They are often separated from their usual backgrounds. They might stand alone or be placed in an artistic setting with empty space around them. The bright, contrasting colors make the objects look different and can make you think. The frames he used were also old-fashioned, making them a key part of each artwork.
Who Likes Retro-Art?
Metzenmacher's art mostly appeals to young people, and those young at heart. These are people who are interested in fashion, design, and cool lifestyle products.
Because he came from product design, Metzenmacher created "collections" for his original artworks. These collections were printed art pieces that came in different colors, sizes, and frames. This idea of different collections came from the fashion industry. He called his collections "edition" and "rallipan."
Art Series (Picture Cycles)
Metzenmacher often painted in "picture cycles," which are groups of related paintings. For example, in his "The Crowning of Creation" series, he explored ideas about femininity. He used images like snails, mussels, and melons in a thought-provoking way. Some of his unique titles include "The Cherry Rose" and "The Melon Princess."
In "The Lord of the Crown" series, he used sports cars and a smoking cigar as symbols of masculinity.
Picture cycles from Ralf Metzenmacher
- Tales from 1001 Nights (1988–89)
- Topic: Stories from 1001 nights
- Works: 17 paintings, many drawings
- Rallipan (1989–2004)
- Topic: Self-portraits
- Works: 9 paintings, several drawings
- Objects come into the picture (1991)
- Topic: Does still-life painting still make sense today?
- Works: 43 paintings, 30 drawings
- Beach of my Dreams (2003)
- Topic: Human selfishness and carelessness
- Works: 14 paintings, many drawings
- The Crowning of Creation (2004–05)
- Topic: Femininity
- Works: 22 paintings, many drawings
- The Lord of the Crown (2006, still being made)
- Topic: Masculinity
- Works: 9 paintings, many drawings
How He Painted
Metzenmacher used a special painting method:
- He used a glazing technique, layering see-through and opaque paints. This was based on methods from the 17th century.
- He put down a first layer of acrylic and emulsion paint. This created a contrast with the smooth oil paint on top.
- He painted with oils on canvas that had been prepared.
- He used stretcher frames that were the right size for each painting's theme.
Exhibitions
Solo Shows
- Kunstmeile Kohlenhof, Bamberg, "La Trecera – does still life painting still make sense today?", July 23 – August 24, 2004
- Sparkasse Bamberg, "The Crowning of Creation", February 6 – March 3, 2006
- 11th Bamberg Art & Antiquities week 2006, "schooruum", July 21 – August 21, 2006
- Kirstin Ellen Vietze Stylist & Beautician GmbH, Berlin, September 7 – December 10, 2006
Group Shows
- "Humanity and nature in accord – Tales of art", Giechburg, September to October 2005
- "CURRICULUM ARTE. Christiane Maether and her students – the Aachen years 1982–2006", Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum, May 20 – July 23, 2006
See also
- Retro
- Kehinde Wiley
- John Currin
