Anselm Kiefer
             Kiefer was born in 1945 and was raised in postwar Germany he was greatly affected by the atmosphere and his paintings reflect his attitudes and feelings towards his country's history. Some of his works also spring from his interest into general history, mythology, philosophy, opera literature, and other art. His works are massive multimedia pieces that tend to be abstract. He uses a great deal of symbolism and representationalism in his works.
             Most of his works are large heavy mixed media pieces that usually have three-dimensional attachments made out of lead. He seems to have a great interest into the ancient practice of alchemy and this interest also seems to influence his works. Other elements that he sometimes mixes into his paintings are wire, straw, wood and various other materials that he affixes to his works to symbolize many different things in many of his works. He is a fascinating artist and I would truly enjoy the opportunity to study some of his works in person. Mere photographs and computer imagery does not do his work justice.
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