Anselm Kiefer's 'Nymphäum' at Thaddaeus Ropac Pantin: Mythological Paintings and Modern Architecture

At over 80 years old, German artist Anselm Kiefer presents a new series of monumental paintings at Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac in Pantin, France, from September 5 to October 25. The exhibition, titled 'Nymphäum', features 20 paintings, including two large folding screens, that reimagine ancient nymphaea—verdant grottoes associated with nymphs in antiquity. Kiefer blends these mythological settings with contemporary elements such as modern buildings with golden windows and mountains reminiscent of Gustave Courbet. The works, created between 2021 and 2025, include titles referencing mythological figures like Hermaphrodite, Philyra, Merope, and the Oreads, as well as Iphigenie and Clytie. The paintings are characterized by Kiefer's signature thick impasto, dynamic brushwork, and rich color, with some pieces featuring gold backgrounds. The exhibition also includes references to art history, such as William Bouguereau's academic painting 'Echo' (1902), Arnold Böcklin's 'Isle of the Dead', Gustav Klimt's gold backgrounds, and even Piet Mondrian, Andy Warhol, and Edvard Munch's 'The Scream', as noted in the catalogue essay by Corinna Thierolf. The show is free and open to the public, marking a continued exploration of memory and civilization's survival through the juxtaposition of ancient myths and modern urban landscapes.