Introduction
Georg Baselitz, a German painter, turned the world of painting in a new way of expressionism. Baselitz’s style is interpreted by the Northern American as Neo-Expressionist, but from a European perspective, it is more seen as postmodern. Baselitz is clearly one of the most rigorous and self-assured of the many contemporary German painters (Bourdan, David, June 1994, Gerog Baselitz at Pace – New York, New York – Review of Exhibitions, Retrieved www.findarticles.com). Baselitz is one of the world’s best selling artist, and the reason behind this is his unique work. This paper is aimed to identify and explain the conceptual part of his work.
Thesis
Gerog Baselitz’s upside down images are the most prominent feature of his work. Being an unusual element it gives a unique style to Baselitz’s work. On the one hand such feature of Baselitz’s work perplexes the viewer, but on other hand it denotes the Meta physical components of the painting.
Overview of the Information
An article published in New York times stated that Baselitz has started life on the wrong side of the Berlin Wall, but Time and Neo-Expressionism have taught that gestural paint and wild colors do not necessarily bespeak pain or even great emotion. (New York Times, April, 13, 1984. ‘Art: The Upside Down World of Georg Baselitz’. Retrieved April, 29, 2007, from New York Times website)
His images are painted with a slashing intensity reminiscent of both German expressionism and abstract expressionism. Crudely drawn, aggressive, and frequently disturbing, his works incorporate semi-abstract human figures, animals, and landscape elements. These images are often painted upside down to empty them of literal meaning and usually project a sense of hostility or isolation (Galrie Arne’s Repoke, Georg Baselitz, Retrieved May, 4, 2007 website http://www.galerie-roepke.de/index/98472,?_LANGUAGE=en). While being unique in the field, Baselitz introduced a new way out of dying painting. Georg Baselitz kept painting alive in Germany during the years when the other conceptual art wanted to bury it. (McEvilley, Thomas. Interview, January, 5, 2000. Retrieved April, 29, 2007, from website http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-62140717.html).
Some critiques are of the opinion that, Baselitz being an expressionist lost his way (John Zeaman, June, 2, 1995. The German Expressionist Who Lost His Way). The Record (Bergen County, NJ) ). The use of figures and objects in his paintings is, to say the least, somewhat unusual. They tend to be seen either upside down or sidewise or in some other unexpected position. For this reason, a first encounter with Mr. Baselitz’s work is inevitably disconcerting. The impulse to crane one’s neck to see the image right side up, as it were, is almost irresistible. We are meant to be disoriented by the placement of these images, and we are (Kramer, Hilton, Art: Neo-Expressionism of Georg Baselitz, New York Times, March, 26, 1982).
Conclusion
Baselitz’s work is considered to be Neo Expressionist from American’s point of view, while European opinion categorizes it as postmodern. The most important feature of his art is the upside down expression of ideas. And it’s said that his work seems captured by a gravitational pull of New Expressionism. The abstract expressionism, grip, colors, and the upside down images brought not only an innovation but also came up with conceptual touch in painting. Though facing criticism, it’s a mysterious and highly charged symbolic focus in the painting.
Work Cited
- Bourdan, David, June 1994, Gerog Baselitz at Pace – New York, New York – Review of Exhibitions, Retrieved www.findarticles.com
- New York Times, April, 13, 1984. ‘Art: The Upside Down World of Georg Baselitz’. Retrieved April, 29, 2007, from New York Times website
- Galrie Arne’s Repoke, Georg Baselitz, Retrieved May, 4, 2007 website http://www.galerie-roepke.de/index/98472,?_LANGUAGE=en
- McEvilley, Thomas. Interview, January, 5, 2000. Retrieved April, 29, 2007, from website http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-62140717.html
- John Zeaman, June, 2, 1995. The German Expressionist Who Lost His Way). The Record (Bergen County, NJ )
- Kramer, Hilton, Art: Neo-Expressionism of Georg Baselitz, New York Times, March, 26, 1982
