Oil on canvas
Germany, 2007
Markus Lüpertz (b. 1941) - German painter, graphic artist and sculptor
Signet ‘ML’ in a circle upper right
Original artist’s frame
Overall dimensions, with frame: 122.5 x 101.5 cm
Excellent condition
Provenance: Austrian private collection (directly purchased from the artist)
Markus Lüpertz is one of the most successful artists of the present. Similar works have sold for more than 95,000 euros in the international market

The present painting titled ‘Birkenau’ is the work of the German artist Markus Lüpertz, and dates from 2007. It is a typical work of the artist, who is known for his engagement with the German-German history. The composition is characterized by a tendency towards abstraction and a vibrant color range. Upon closer inspection, the depiction reveals numerous symbols: The flickering candle and the skull are classical symbols of the vanitas. The grapes are an emblem for pleasure and life. Lüpertz often recurs to traditional images of art history. The present painting is a clear and touching, but at the same time discreet reference to the dark chapters of German history. Lüpertz successfully brings us to mind the actuality of the past.

The painting is now in an Austrian private collection and was directly purchased from Mark Lüpertz by the current owner. The Michael Werner Gallery, Märkisch Wilmersdorf, has confirmed the work’s authenticity. We would like to thank Michael Werner for his support.



The painting shows the artist's signet ‘M’ in a circle on the upper right. It is in excellent condition with only minimal wear marks. The overall dimensions, framed, are 122.5 x 101.5 cm; the stretcher measures 99.5 x 80.5 cm.



Markus Lüpertz (b. 1941)

Markus Lüpertz , born in Reichenberg in 1941, is one of the most important German artists of the present. His work has been influencing the German art for over 50 years. In the 1960s still part of the West Berlin Bohème, he was a professor at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe in the 1970s, and director of the Dusseldorf Art Academy from 1988 to 2009. At the same time, he was extremely productive and constantly developed his style. He was influenced, among others, by the legends of the ancient world, the literature (he writes himself), the art history (a work cycle, for example, is devoted to Corot) and the history, particularly the German history of the 20th century. The artist stylized himself as a ‘prince of painters’ and genius, and is also known in this role. He received numerous honors and awards, and exhibited, for instance, at the documenta in Kassel. His works are part of major international museum collections, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Museo de Bellas Artes in Bilbao.

Due to the legal obligation for the resale royalty in the art market the following applies: As a result of its membership in the AV Kunst, Auctionata charges additionally to the hammer price the contribution to the AV Kunst of currently 2.1% of the revenues from the sale of fine arts and photographs pro rata towards the buyer. More information about royalty right in our T&C.