Georg Baselitz is a prominent German painter and sculptor born on January 23, 1938, in Deutschbaselitz, Saxony, Germany. He is best known for his figurative, expressive artworks, and his signature style often involves presenting his subjects upside down, a method he adopted in the late 1960s to emphasize the artifice of painting. This distinctive technique challenges traditional conventions and the viewer's perception, focusing more on the formal aspects of painting rather than the subject matter itself.
Baselitz studied at the Academy of Fine and Applied Art in East Berlin and later moved to West Berlin, where he continued his studies. His work spans various media including painting, wood sculpture, and printmaking. His approach has roots in the expressionist tradition, and he is associated with the Neo-Expressionist movement, which revived expressive painting in Europe and the U.S. during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
One of his notable works is "Die große Nacht im Eimer" (The Big Night Down the Drain) painted in 1962-63. This painting features a provocative, distorted young figure, which reflects Baselitz's interest in exploring human vulnerabilities and grotesqueness. The painting caused a scandal for its raw, confrontational imagery when it was first exhibited, highlighting Baselitz's willingness to push boundaries and confront societal norms.
Throughout his career, Baselitz has been the subject of numerous international exhibitions and his works are held in major collections worldwide. He remains a pivotal figure in contemporary art, continually exploring themes of identity, memory, and history through his distinct, challenging artistic language.