The artwork, titled “Ave Maria,” created by Anselm Kiefer in 2007, is a compelling example of the New European Painting movement. With dimensions measuring 190.5 x 139.7 cm, this figurative piece integrates both expressive and textual elements, embodying a deep sense of texture and symbolism that is characteristic of Kiefer’s work.
“Ave Maria” presents a complex surface that merges organic materials with traditional painting techniques. At the lower section, an assemblage of dried flowers is rooted in a cracked, earthen substrate, evoking themes of decay and rebirth. Above this, the canvas unfolds into a mixture of muted tones, predominantly earthy browns and grays, interspersed with sporadic eruptions of what appears to be dark ashes or stains. The artwork conveys a somber, meditative atmosphere, further accentuated by the faint, handwritten script “Ave Maria” at the top. This melding of natural elements with painterly abstraction invites viewers to explore themes of time, memory, and the transcendental.
