A.R. Penck: The Primitive Language of Form Ralf Winkler, known universally as A.R. Penck (October 5th, 1939 – May 2nd, 2017), stands as a singular figure in neo-expressionist art—a German painter, printmaker and sculptor whose oeuvre defies easy categorization yet resonates with profound simplicity and unsettling beauty. Born in Dresden during the twilight years of East Germany, Penck’s formative experiences instilled within him an enduring fascination for stark landscapes and a deep connection to primal imagery. His early artistic training under Jürgen Böttcher—the pseudonym Strawalde—esta…