Renowned German painter and sculptor Georg Baselitz has died peacefully at the age of 88, as confirmed by the Thaddaeus Ropac art gallery. Baselitz, who famously claimed he had 'no talent', became a pivotal figure in postwar German art, known for his provocative, inverted canvases and raw depictions of the human form.
Early life and influences
His rebellious artistic philosophy was forged by his experiences growing up in Nazi Germany and under Soviet communism, leading to his expulsion from an East Berlin academy for 'sociopolitical immaturity'.
Controversial career
Baselitz gained notoriety early in his career when two of his paintings were seized for obscenity in 1963, and he later cemented his international reputation by introducing his signature technique of painting motifs upside down from 1969 onwards.
Despite a controversial public persona, marked by provocative statements and a sculpture at the Venice Biennale perceived as a Nazi salute, he continued to challenge artistic norms and produce monumental works into his later years.
His legacy as a giant of contemporary art remains firmly established, with his works held in major museums worldwide.
