Arnulf Rainer
2 MAY until 6 JUN 2025
Opening – 2 MAY 2025, 6-9 pm
Arnulf Rainer,
Orange Übermalung, 1960,
oil on canvas in artist frame, 130.8 x 81.2 cm.
Photo: Jörg von Bruchhausen
Arnulf Rainer (*1929 in Baden near Vienna) is considered one of the most important European artists of the post-war period and is known for his ‘overpaintings’ developed in the 1950s, in which he paints over existing pictures, photographs or prints. His art is characterised by a deep spirituality and an examination of human existence. His creative powers of anger, delusion, dream or even subconsciousness lead him to deal with death. Since 1977, he has developed this central theme in large series of crosses, among other things.
The cross has become my basic figure. I simply can’t think of anything else, that challenges me so much and makes me work so hard and diligently, so I take it up again and again.
Arnulf Rainer, zit. nach: Friedhelm Mennekes, Das Kreuz als Realpräsenz, in: Johannes Röhring, Arnulf Rainer – Kreuz-Weisen, Köln 1992, S. 12
Arnulf Rainer,
Dunkle Figur, 1990/91,
oil on wood, 198.5 x 121.5 cm.
Photo: Lea Gryze
Arnulf Rainer,
Schwarze Übermalung, 1953/54,
oil on canvas, 92.6 x 75.5 cm.
Photo: Jörg von Bruchhausen
Arnulf Rainer is represented in museums and galleries worldwide, including the Nationalgalerie Berlin, the Tate Gallery in London and the Albertina in Vienna, the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
In our exhibition Arnulf Rainer, we are showing works from the cross series as well as earlier overpaintings. We warmly welcome you to the opening on the occasion of Gallery Weekend 2025 in our rooms at Niebuhrstraße 5 in Berlin-Charlottenburg. Please also note our special opening hours throughout the weekend.
