Prepare to embark on a profound artistic journey as the Ashmolean Museum unveils a landmark exhibition of early works by Anselm Kiefer, a towering figure of post-war art. From February 14 to June 15, 2025, visitors can explore the evolution of one of the world’s most significant living artists through an extraordinary collection of 45 early pieces, including paintings, watercolors, artist books, photographs, and woodcuts. The exhibition also features three recent paintings, personally selected by Kiefer, offering a glimpse into his ongoing exploration of history, memory, and myth.
The Weight of History, the Reach of Art
Born in Donaueschingen, Germany, in 1945, Kiefer’s life and work have been deeply shaped by the aftermath of World War II and the Third Reich. His art confronts the burden of historical memory and the complexities of cultural identity in a post-war context. This exhibition provides an unparalleled opportunity to witness Kiefer’s early engagement with these themes, particularly through his controversial Occupations series (1969). In this series, Kiefer photographed himself performing banned Nazi salutes while wearing his father’s Wehrmacht uniform, in locations across Europe.
These works, while shocking, were intended as acts of critical engagement with Germany’s wartime past and a challenge to societal amnesia.
Kiefer’s works from this period also grapple with Germany’s cultural heritage, blending references to national mythology, Romanticism, and the work of literary giants such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Hölderlin. His art bridges the personal and the collective, inviting viewers to consider the intersections of memory, identity, and moral responsibility.
Materials That Speak
Kiefer’s innovative use of unconventional materials is central to his artistic vision. His works often incorporate straw, ash, lead, sand, concrete, and charred remnants, imbuing his pieces with a tactile, weathered quality. These materials serve as metaphors, symbolizing cycles of destruction and renewal. For example, the inclusion of straw—frequently associated with rural life—evokes fragility and impermanence while connecting to themes of regeneration.
One of the standout pieces in this exhibition is Heroic Symbols (1970), in which Kiefer uses raw textures to emphasize the tension between the mythologization of history and its stark realities. His distinctive alchemical approach to art—transforming mundane substances into objects of profound meaning—reflects his belief in art’s capacity to transcend time and materiality.
A Poet’s Palette
Kiefer’s deep engagement with literature is another hallmark of his work. The titles of his pieces often draw on German poets such as Rainer Maria Rilke, Friedrich Hölderlin, and Paul Celan, whose writings grapple with existential and historical themes. Celan’s Death Fugue, for instance, profoundly influenced Kiefer’s works addressing the Holocaust. In pieces like Margarethe – Sulamith (1981), Kiefer juxtaposes symbols of Aryan beauty (golden hair) with the imagery of Jewish suffering (ashes), capturing the duality of human civilization—its capacity for creation and destruction.
Artist books, an important medium in Kiefer’s early career, feature prominently in the exhibition. These books serve as intimate, portable galleries of his ideas, combining evocative imagery with poetic text to form deeply layered narratives.
Evolution of a Visionary
This exhibition also includes three recent paintings selected by Kiefer himself, offering visitors a sense of continuity between his early experiments and his monumental later works. These newer pieces reflect Kiefer’s enduring fascination with cosmic themes, mythology, and the human condition, while showcasing the technical and conceptual refinement he has achieved over decades.
Among these recent works is The Heavenly Pallet (2023), in which a painter’s palette is transformed into a winged symbol of transcendence, soaring above a celestial expanse. The piece highlights Kiefer’s belief in art’s power to navigate between the earthly and the sublime, grounding us in history while pointing toward infinite possibilities.
Curatorial Insights
Dr. Xa Sturgis, Director of the Ashmolean Museum, describes Kiefer as an artist who “pushes boundaries and challenges us to confront the world anew.” Dr. Lena Fritsch, the exhibition’s curator, emphasizes the importance of translating the deeply Germanic contexts of Kiefer’s work for a global audience. “Kiefer’s art is deeply rooted in German history and culture, but its themes—memory, trauma, and the search for meaning—resonate universally,” says Fritsch.
A Monumental Legacy
Kiefer’s influence on contemporary art cannot be overstated. From his early works to his later, large-scale installations, he has consistently redefined the boundaries of what art can achieve. His willingness to address uncomfortable truths, combined with his innovative techniques, has inspired generations of artists and viewers alike.
Why This Exhibition Matters
This is more than an art exhibition—it is a rare opportunity to engage with the early works of a master who has spent a lifetime wrestling with some of humanity’s most profound questions. By presenting Kiefer’s early and recent works side by side, the Ashmolean Museum invites us to reflect on the enduring relevance of his themes and the transformative power of art.
Plan Your Visit
The Anselm Kiefer exhibition runs from February 14 to June 15, 2025, at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. Visitors are encouraged to book tickets in advance to secure their place at what promises to be one of the most significant exhibitions of the year. Whether you are a long-time admirer of Kiefer’s work or encountering his art for the first time, this exhibition offers a compelling exploration of history, memory, and the boundless potential of human creativity.
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Words by AW.
Photos courtesy of Hall Art Foundation / Ashmolean Museum.