The Alte Pinakothek to Honor Austrian Painter Arnulf Rainer

Written by Alice Binder Saturday, 03 December 2011 22:13

MUNICH - Following the display of Cy Twombly's most recent sculptures in 2006, the Pinakothek der Moderne is once again devoting an exhibition in the Alte Pinakothek to a major contemporary artist whose seeks to enter a dialogue with traditional art. To celebrate his 80th birthday in December 2009, the exhibition will provide a compact overview from the oeuvre of the Austrian painter Arnulf Rainer, showcasing key works, some of which have never been exhibited before.  On exhibition through 5 September, 2010.

Since the 1950s, Rainer's output has evolved in a dialectic field between two poles - a calm, meditative application of paint on the one hand and a physically powerful expressiveness on the other. Rainer's method of 'overpainting' - a process during which areas of a picture are covered up - and the effective and frequently monochrome pictures that result, contrasts with the gestural, body-related series of works consciously created at high speed, such as his finger paintings, body poses or the reworked photographic portraits of his "Face Farces".

Two large, predominantly classical rooms in Munich's Alte Pinakothek will give viewers the opportunity to experience the opposing fundamental principles in Rainer's oeuvre in its interdependency and singular appeal. In addition, works on paper from the artist's extensive output will be shown in small exhibition rooms along with recent paintings.

The Alte Pinakothek houses one of the world´s most important collections. On display are more than 800 paintings, among them numerous well-known masterpieces of 14th to 18th Century European painting.

An exquisite collection of early Dutch painting including works by Rogier van der Weyden and Dieric Bouts can be found in close proximity to early German painting. This section includes Albrecht Dürer´s famous “Self Portrait” of 1500 and his “Four Apostles,” as well as masterpieces by Michael Pacher, Albrecht Altdorfer und Lucas Cranach. The scope and quality of Munich 's Flemish art collection, which includes works by Rubens, Van Dyck and Jordaens, makes it unique. The museums holdings also include the “Canigiani Holy Family,” which was the first painting by Raphael to be brought to Germany . The Alte Pinakothek also boasts masterpieces by Titian and Tintoretto, Rembrandt and Frans Hals, Murillo and Velasquez, Chardin and Boucher. Visit : http://www.pinakothek.de/

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