Neo Rauch

Neo Rauch
Rauch in Brühl, Germany, 2007
Born (1960-04-18) 18 April 1960 (age 64)
Leipzig, East Germany (now Germany)
NationalityGerman
EducationHochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig
Known forPainting
MovementNew Leipzig School
AwardsVincent Award, 2002

Neo Rauch (German: [ˈneːo ˈʁaʊx]; born 18 April 1960) is a German artist whose paintings mine the intersection of his personal history with the politics of industrial alienation. His work reflects the influence of socialist realism, and owes a debt to Surrealists Giorgio de Chirico and René Magritte, although Rauch hesitates to align himself with surrealism. He studied at the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig, and he lives in Markkleeberg near Leipzig, Germany and works as the principal artist of the New Leipzig School.[1] The artist is represented by Galerie EIGEN + ART Leipzig/Berlin and David Zwirner, New York.

Rauch's paintings suggest a narrative intent but, as art historian Charlotte Mullins explains, closer scrutiny immediately presents the viewer with enigmas: "Architectural elements peter out; men in uniform from throughout history intimidate men and women from other centuries; great struggles occur but their reason is never apparent; styles change at a whim."[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference NRI was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Mullins, 2006, p. 140.