Anselm Kiefer emerged as a pivotal figure in the late 20th-century art scene. His upbringing near the Black Forest deeply influenced his artistic journey, leading him to study at universities in Freiburg and Karlsruhe. Kiefer’s artistic evolution was profoundly shaped by encounters with Joseph Beuys and a move to Barjac, France, in 1992. His works often draw upon German history, myth, and culture, challenging taboos surrounding the nation’s past. Through paintings, sculptures, and provocative performances, Kiefer navigates complex themes of memory and identity, inviting viewers to confront history’s weight and contradictions.