Neo Rauch retrospective at MO.CO. Montpellier examines painter's East German roots and stylistic evolution

At MO.CO. in Montpellier, the exhibition 'The Dream of Reason' presents more than 40 paintings by Neo Rauch, tracing his evolution from East Germany to a prominent artist. It delves into his upbringing in the German Democratic Republic and the artistic challenges he encountered after the 1989 reunification. Early pieces, such as 'Der Gärtner' (1990), reveal a struggle with visual identity, while 'Zwei Klassen' (1995) addresses the injustices of reunification. By the turn of the millennium, Rauch embraced a figurative approach that fuses Symbolism, Surrealism, and kitsch. His more recent work, 'Nest' (2012), depicts paramilitaries and stag beetles. At sixty-three, he has faced scrutiny for his political opinions. The exhibition is open until October 15.