10 SCENES FROM VENICE The Enduring Voice of Baselitz

By Anna Son

"I have a long biography to look back on. What I mean is that I have painted an incredibly large number of pictures over the course of more than 60 years. Now that I’m more or less at the end of my painting activity, I thought I should draw some kind of conclusion. In other words, a summation of the paintings I’ve done over the years."

Reflecting upon his lifelong journey, the master shares a profound confession of charting a uniquely independent path distinct from conventional painting methodologies. For instance, while his body of work has frequently been celebrated for its vibrant palette, he reveals a deep, enduring aspiration toward the sublime aesthetic of monochrome, eventually selecting radiant gold as his ultimate, neutral ground. In his thoughtful pursuit of pure flatness, he consciously transcended traditional illusions like perspective and chiaroscuro, freeing his figures from the constraints of specific environments to let them float gracefully in a limitless, open space. Amid this steadfast dedication to original vision, he beautifully embraces a rare moment of artistic homage to Willem de Kooning. Terming it a "subtle citation" born of deep respect, Baselitz notes that his latest brushwork and color harmony were delightfully inspired by the American abstract master.

The title of this landmark exhibition is drawn from his historic 1965 masterpiece, Hero. In his twenties, Baselitz initiated the Heroes series, depicting imaginary soldiers inspired by narratives of the Russian Civil War. It beautifully encapsulates the ultimate, triumphant moment of a legendary hero remaining in Venice.