Anselm Kiefer: becoming the sea

Exhibition at the Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis, 18 October 2025 – 25 January 2026

Since the late 1960s, Anselm Kiefer (1945-) has been creating art that explores the depths of human history. For his first American retrospective in twenty years, he uses the river as a metaphor for the flow of life and the passage of time. Breathtaking new landscapes join iconic works to celebrate the achievements of his nearly sixty-year career.

This exhibition catalogue explores Kiefer's work, highlighting his complex engagement with history, mythology, and the human condition. From his early landscapes evoking post-war Europe to his later monumental canvases on the themes of destruction and regeneration, Kiefer's art challenges our understanding of history and memory. The book includes previously unpublished writings by the artist, numerous illustrations, and contributions from writers who have inspired Kiefer's literary art.