Markus Lüpertz

Markus Lüpertz (b. 1941, Reichenberg) is one of the foremost figures of the German Neo-expressionist movement that emerged in the early 60s and included Georg Baselitz (b. 1938, Deutschbaselitz), Jörg Immendorff (b. 1945, Bleckede – d. 2007, Düsseldorf), A.R. Penck (b. 1939, Dresden – d. 2017, Zürich) amongst others. His early paintings from this era can be viewed as a reaction to the non-figurative, abstract painting or conceptual art produced by many of his contemporaries, as well as being addressed to the condition of German society in this post-war period. References to Greek mythology featured more prominently in the paintings he produced in the 80s, that also show the influence of old and modern masters such as Poussin (b. 1594, Les Andelys – d. 1665, Rome), Goya (b. 1746, Fuendetodos – d. 1828, Bordeaux) and Picasso (b. 1881, Malaga – d. 1973, Mougins). The painting Griechisches Interieur combines motifs from ancient art with other figurative elements inspired by Picasso’s paintings, rendered in Lüpertz’s distinct gestural and expressive style.