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Arnulf Rainer Biography

Painter

Arnulf Rainer is an Austrian painter known for his unique abstract style and profound personal expression. His works often blend elements of painting and sculpture, reflecting on the essence of nature and human existence.

Art Eye Difficult Four Painting Art Is Difficulty Corners Backgrounds Difficult Things

Book:Arnulf Rainer: an exhibition curated

Source: Arnulf Rainer: an exhibition curated

“Sometimes I had to force the overpainting of three corners almost without any feeling for shape, almost without inspiration, only to find my way back, to get out of this hell.”

Way Sometimes Feelings Inspiration Three Force Hell Shapes Corners My Way Frustration

Book:Arnulf Rainer: an exhibition curated

Source: Arnulf Rainer: an exhibition curated

“the 'total overpaintings' developed... through incessant reworking. The original motif peeped through the edges. Gradually it vanished completely.”

Originals Edges Incessant Motifs

Book:Arnulf Rainer: an exhibition

Source: Arnulf Rainer: an exhibition

“I have settled down in this border area; I am trying to find distinct standards of shape, and I long to experience, formulate, and evoke this dark, heavy, tranquillity.”

Trying Long Peace Dark Shapes Standards Areas Heavy Borders Evoke Tranquillity

Book:Arnulf Rainer: an exhibition

Source: Arnulf Rainer: an exhibition

“Only an 'almost,' a 'nearly,' is possible.”

Book:Arnulf Rainer: an exhibition

Source: Arnulf Rainer: an exhibition

“I could only relax when there was just one tiny white last spot left. I could see more clearly. I could grasp the shape of the picture again... The pictures are alive because of the white remnant, the almost concealment.”

Lasts Left White Alive Shapes Tiny Spots Just One Relax Remnants Concealment

Book:Arnulf Rainer: an exhibition

Source: Arnulf Rainer: an exhibition

“The principles of my works... are the extinction of expression, permanent covering and contemplative tranquillity... My ideal is the completely dark picture, full of some overwhelming silence.”

Dark Silence Principles Expression Ideals Permanent Overwhelming Extinction Covering Contemplative Tranquillity

Author:Arnulf Rainer

“In 1968 I frequently would sit in a photo booth and practice self mirror images which I then documented photographically. Curious types would always open the curtains and chase me away. Today I work with a photographer.”

Self Today Practice Type Mirrors Photographer Curious Curtains Mirror Image

Author:Arnulf Rainer

“... I felt like a new man; but I was disappointed with the photographic documentation because I still saw always the old self.”

Men Stills Self Felt Saws Disappointed Documentation Old Self

Author:Arnulf Rainer

About the Author

Born: December 8, 1929
Known for: Painter
Quotes: 9

Books & Sources

Arnulf Rainer: an exhibitionRelated source material

Arnulf Rainer: an exhibition curatedRelated source material

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