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At first sight, Anselm Kiefer’s impressive artworks may not appear to have much in common with those of Vincent van Gogh.
Anselm Kiefer (1945) uses materials including straw, lead and gold leaf besides traditional artistic media such as oil paint, watercolour, gouache and photography. While Kiefer and Van Gogh do not share the same colour palette, the two artists are strongly related.
Kiefer and Van Gogh share a profound admiration of nature. Kiefer often depicts landscapes, which he consideres to be witnesses of human history. Van Gogh's landscapes similarly are alive; they express feelings and emotions. Wheat, or depictions of wheat, is present in both artis's work as a reference to the circle of life.
Anselm Kiefer, Die Krähen (The Crows), 2019. Collection of the artist, courtesy White Cube Photo: Georges Poncet © Anselm Kiefer and Vincent van Gogh, Wheatfield with Crows, 1890
Sunflowers are inextricably linked to Van Gogh. They are also often visible in Kiefer’s work. Their short flowering period symbolizes human existence and transformation. Their seeds bring new life.
For Kiefer, plants and sunflowers are also connected to the cosmos and evoke the thought of 16th century philosopher and astronomer Robert Fludd that every plant on earth has a corresponding star in the sky.
Anselm Kiefer, Sol Invictus, 1995. Collection of the artist © Anselm Kiefer. Photo: Charles Duprat
Van Gogh has always been an important source of inspiration for Kiefer. At the age of eighteen, Kiefer traveled in Vincent’s footsteps. He visited places in the Netherlands, Belgium and France where Van Gogh has worked. During his travels, Kiefer made numerous drawings.
‘The drawings that I made on this journey were clearly influenced by Vincent van Gogh; it’s an influence that is still very much present.’
Anselm Kiefer
Anselm Kiefer, drawing, 17 x 24 cm, graphite on paper © Anselm Kiefer. Photo: Georges Poncet
Anselm Kiefer, drawing, 15,6 x 20,5 cm, graphite on paper © Anselm Kiefer. Photo: Georges Poncet
Anselm Kiefer, drawing, 23,8 x 30,7 cm, graphite on paper © Anselm Kiefer. Photo: Georges Poncet
Kiefer is intrigued that Van Gogh was not a ‘born painter’, and admires his perseverance. Van Gogh's persistence in painting allowed him to create masterpieces.
This brings up the question: is talented necessary to become a remarkable artist?
Anselm Kiefer is interested in the human search for meaning. His art addresses philosophical concerns such as transience, rebirth and memory.
Kiefer made new – previously unseen – work especially for the exhibition Anselm Kiefer - Sag mir wo die Blumen sind (7 March - 9 June 2025). This is a remarkable opportunity to see work by two of the world’s most influential artists together.
Anselm Kiefer. Photo: Waltraud Forelli