Key Takeaways
- Rainer Fetting is a German painter and sculptor known for his neo-expressionist figurative paintings and sculptures.
- His work is characterized by bold, expressive brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and emotional intensity.
- Fetting's art has been widely exhibited internationally and is held in prominent public collections.
- His style is rooted in the neo-expressionist movement, which emerged in the 1980s as a reaction against conceptual and minimal art.
- Fetting's paintings often depict the human figure, exploring themes of beauty, elegance, and the unrestrained psyche.
Portrait of Rainer Fetting © Samantha Dietmar 2016, via Wikipedia
Rainer Fetting: Neo-expressionist figurative artist
Rainer Fetting, born in 1949 in Germany, is a painter and sculptor. He has made many expressive figurative paintings and portraits. He also created numerous bronze sculptures. His work is influenced by the Neo-Expressionist movement.
Fetting's art is known for bold brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and emotional depth. His pieces have been shown all over the world. They are also in famous public collections.
Rainer Fetting's art is deeply rooted in Neo-Expressionism, a movement from 1970s Germany. His paintings are known for bold brushwork, vibrant colors, and intense emotions. He explores various themes, like portraits, nudes, cityscapes, with a unique style.
Fetting believes in the power of figurative painting to show the human experience. His canvases burst with energy, captivating and unsettling at the same time. His neo-expressionist art uses bold brushstrokes and vibrant colors to highlight the emotional intensity of his subjects.
Fetting's style, based on figurative painting, has earned him praise and a loyal fan base. His work proves the human form's lasting importance in art. His bold, honest approach has made him a key figure in Neo-Expressionism.
The rebellious Junge Wilde movement
In the 1980s, Rainer Fetting was a key figure in the Junge Wilde (Young Wild Ones) group. This group of German Neo-Expressionist painters was based in Berlin's lively art scene. They stood against the common trends of conceptual and minimalist art, pushing for figurative painting and expressive techniques.
Fetting's work with the Junge Wilde movement greatly influenced his style. The group's bold, emotional brushstrokes matched Fetting's own artistic feelings. He aimed to show the raw intensity and energy of the human form in his junge wilde paintings.
The Junge Wilde artists, including Fetting, dared to challenge the art establishment. They chose a more visceral, expressive way of creating german contemporary art. Their focus on the berlin art scene and use of neo-expressionism made them a major force in German art during that time.
Fetting's work with the Junge Wilde movement made him a key figure in Germany's 1980s cultural and artistic revolution. His bold, expressive paintings contrasted with the common trends. This helped shape the future of german contemporary art and the berlin art scene for years to come.
Influences: from Van Gogh to Picasso
Rainer Fetting's unique art influences and expressionist painting style were shaped by famous post-impressionism and cubism artists. He was deeply inspired by Vincent van Gogh's emotionally charged paintings. Van Gogh's expressive brushstrokes and bright colors greatly influenced Fetting's art.
Fetting also connected with Paul Cézanne's bold, experimental style. Cézanne's work on geometric forms and fragmented views paved the way for cubism. Pablo Picasso, the cubism pioneer, further sparked Fetting's creativity. His work showed a raw, unapologetic energy that broke traditional art rules.
Fetting combined these art influences to create his unique Neo-Expressionist style. This style is a mix of bold colors, distorted figures, and a deep emotional intensity. It's a captivating blend that stands out in the art world.
Fetting's Berlin cityscapes and the Wall
Rainer Fetting's art shows many cityscape paintings of Berlin. The Berlin Wall is a big part of these works. It symbolizes the city's big changes, like when East and West Germany united.
Fetting's cityscapes are full of emotion and energy. They show Berlin's gritty side. The Berlin Wall is often in the center, adding to the drama.
In works like "Van Gogh und Mauer V" (1978), "Grosse Dusche" (1980), and "Figur an der Mauer" (1987), Fetting blends Berlin's streets with the Wall. This creates stories that tell about the city's history and people's lives.
Fetting's paintings are more than just views of Berlin. They also talk about the city's politics and feelings during that time. His bold colors and strokes show the strong emotions felt in Berlin back then.
Fetting's art shows his deep connection to Berlin. His paintings are powerful and moving. They give us a special look at berlin cityscapes, berlin wall, german reunification, and urban landscapes of Berlin.
Global exhibitions and public collections
Rainer Fetting's work has been exhibited globally, with his paintings and sculptures featured in numerous solo and group shows across Europe, the United States, and beyond. His art has appeared in prominent venues like Galerie Michael Haas in Berlin and The Art Institute of Chicago, solidifying his international reputation and acclaim.
Rainer Fetting’s works are held in major museums worldwide, further solidifying his influence in contemporary art. These include renowned institutions such as MoMA in New York, Tate Modern in London, Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Guggenheim Museum in New York. His art is also featured at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid, Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, and the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C. Additionally, his pieces can be found at the Moderna Museet in Stockholm and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark, underscoring his lasting global impact.
FAQ
Who is Rainer Fetting?
Rainer Fetting is a German painter and sculptor born in 1949. He is famous for his expressive figurative paintings and portraits. His work is known for bold brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and emotional intensity.
What is the Neo-Expressionist movement and how did it influence Fetting's art?
The Neo-Expressionist movement started in 1970s Germany as a reaction against minimalist art. Fetting's work was heavily influenced by this movement. His paintings show a unique style with bold brushwork and vibrant colors.
What was the Junge Wilde (Young Wild Ones) group and how did it shape Fetting's artistic approach?
In the 1980s, Fetting was part of the Junge Wilde group in Berlin. This group rebelled against minimalist trends, promoting figurative painting and expressive techniques. Being part of this movement greatly influenced Fetting's style.
What are the characteristics of Fetting's figurative paintings and portraits?
Fetting's paintings, especially his portraits and nudes, show raw emotional intensity. His bold brushwork and vibrant colors give his subjects energy and vitality.
What artistic influences can be seen in Fetting's work?
Fetting's style was influenced by Expressionist and Post-Impressionist painters like Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne. He also drew inspiration from Cubist and Expressionist artists like Pablo Picasso and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner.
What is the significance of Fetting's Berlin cityscapes and the Berlin Wall in his work?
Fetting's work includes many cityscape paintings of Berlin, often featuring the Berlin Wall. These paintings reflect his connection to Berlin and the city's political and social changes, including reunification.
How did Fetting's embrace of beauty and elegance in his paintings set him apart from his contemporaries?
Unlike the Berlin art scene's trends, Fetting celebrated beauty and elegance in his paintings. His mastery of traditional techniques allowed him to create works that celebrated human beauty and nature.
Where has Fetting's work been exhibited and where is it held in public collections?
Fetting's work has been exhibited globally, in many solo and group shows. His art is in prestigious collections like the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Modern in London.
Selena Mattei
