Sick Art

Expressionism
1974
20.0 x 24.0 cm

Kiefer returned to his photographs of northern Norway for inspiration here, infecting this picturesque fjord with bright pink sores in heavy gouache. The title, Kranke Kunst, inscribed on the border, connotes the infamous 1937 Munich exhibition "Entartete ‘Kunst’"(Degenerate "Art"), for which the Nazis assembled more than 650 modern works from German public collections in order to demonstrate that such art was unacceptable, sick, and "un-German." Ironically, the subject here is the very land that, through medieval Icelandic literature (the Edda), is known as the chief source of knowledge about German mythology.

Questions & Answers

How do contrast and harmony combine in "Sick Art"?

In "Sick Art", a gentle contrast is paired with a strong color unity harmony.

What color palette is used in "Sick Art" by Anselm Kiefer?

The colors of "Sick Art" form a neutrals palette. This classification describes the dominant color families.

What is "Sick Art" about?

"Sick Art" by Anselm Kiefer depicts: german history, trauma, norway, mythology, pink sores, degenerate art, symbolism, landscape.

By the TopImpressionists.com Editorial Team

Anselm Kiefer (1945 –)

Explore Anselm Kiefer's monumental paintings & sculptures confronting German history & trauma. Known for ash, straw & powerful symbolism, his work is a visceral experience.

About this artwork

Title: Sick Art
Artist: Anselm Kiefer
Year: 1974
Original dimensions: 20.0 x 24.0 cm
Format: Landscape
Copyright status: Under copyright
Creative period: Early Period
Corpus context: norwegian landscapes , exploration of german identity
Main color: Putty
Keywords: "symbolic painting" , german expressionism , watercolor norway