Georg Baselitz: The Last Decade

The exhibition is accompanied by the catalogue Georg Baselitz: The Last Decade, which includes essays by Norman Rosenthal, Beral Madra, Eric Darragon, and John-Paul Stonard, offering thoughtful insights into the artist and his practice. In his essay ‘Georg Baselitz Visits Istanbul’, Norman Rosenthal explores Baselitz’s inspirations – ranging from Mannerist art and the German Renaissance to twentieth century German cultural history – within the context of the innovative approaches and techniques he has developed in the last decade. Beral Madra’s contribution, ‘Body and Existence’, provides a comprehensive analysis of the different phases of Baselitz’s resilient artistic practice, examining his depictions of the human body, experiences, and thoughts; connecting them to various artistic movements. In ‘Baselitz Black or History as Background’, John-Paul Stonard delves into the role of historical themes and the colour black in Baselitz’s work, highlighting the formal and emotional transformations brought on by the Nazi regime, and exploring how the artist addresses violence, memory, and aesthetics through his use of black patina and inverted figures. Finally, in ‘Nylon Stockings Ballet’, Eric Darragon argues that Baselitz’s Springtime series offers an interpretation and critique that challenges traditional aesthetic values and social expectations, focusing on the provocative symbolism of nylon stockings and legs.