Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5

I was reminded that this exhibition would be closing soon and made a quick booking for today, 8th October at 11:00am. On arriving in the RA I could tell that it was a busy day but I made a quick visit to Waddington Custot before going into the RA exhibition.

Anselm Kiefer
Nevermore, 2014
emulsion, oil, acrylic, shellac, gold leaf and sediment of electrolysis on canvas
330 x 570 cm

The Kiefer/Van Gogh exhibit was very busy but I do not mind looking at the large paintings around other people. Catching images is also part of my project so there was plenty of scope today.

Anselm Kiefer
Walther von der Vogelweide: Under the Lime Tree on the Heather, 2014
emulsion, oil, acrylic, shellac, gold leaf, sediment of electrolysis and charcoal on canvas
280 x 380 cm

Anselm Kiefer
The Crows (Die Krähen), 2019
emulsion, oil, acrylic, shellac, gold leaf, straw and clay on canvas
280 x 760 cm

Anselm Kiefer
Eros and Thanatos (2013 - 19)
emulsion, oil paint, acrylic, shellac, gold leaf, metal wire, and scythe
280 x 380 cm

It is very easy to make the comparisons between the Van Gogh and Kiefer paintings in their making and appearance. I do wonder about the singular mindset that is required to manipulate the paint or materials to reach the final artwork.

I noticed today that the Field with Irises borders on the waterway with trees close to Arles where another memorable painting was made.

Vincent van Gogh
Poppy field, Auvers-sur-Oise: June 1890
oil on canvas
73.0 x 91.5 cm

Vincent Van Gogh
Snow-Covered Field with a Harrow (after Millet), 1890
oil on canvas
72.1 cm x 92 cm

Vincent Van Gogh
Field with Irises near Arles, May 1888
oil on canvas
54 x 65 cm

The Starry Night is very large but I do not think that it is completely successful. The relative scale of the added materials to the overall size of the canvas seems overloaded to me.

The motif seems overstated and leaves little breathing space which is present in most of the other large works.

Anselm Kiefer
The Starry Night 2019
emulsion, oil, acrylic, shellac, straw, gold leaf, wood, wire and sediment of electrolysis on canvas
470 x 840 cm

The Last Load has just that breathing space and then there are the Shoes.

I have been using a new lens today and was somewhat surprised to find such a difference in the view of the inevitably over complicated frame here.

I have very much enjoyed this exhibition and will probably not get to see it again as suddenly London has many exhibitions which are 'must see'!

Anselm Kiefer
The Last Load (Das letzte Fuder) 2019
emulsion, oil, acrylic and straw on canvas
size tbc

Vincent van Gogh
Shoes, Paris: 1886
oil on canvas
37.5 x 45 cm