“Black Flakes” is a figurative artwork created by Anselm Kiefer in 2006, falling under the New European Painting art movement. The artwork features a desolate landscape with multiple dark, fragmented shapes scattered across a predominantly gray and white setting. The chaotic arrangement of these dark symbols or marks creates an unsettling atmosphere, as if the remnants of a traumatic event linger across the barren expanse. Central to the composition is a rectangular, metallic object, which stands out against the heavily textured background, adding an element of stark contrast and intrigue. The artwork embodies Kiefer’s characteristic use of mixed media and his profound exploration of memory, history, and identity. The surface is rich with varied textures and somber tones, emphasizing the thematic depth and emotional weight of the piece.
