Hermann Nitsch

Biography

"The question of the development of art is also a question of society. In Vienna, it was very conservative. We wanted to make a new art—new expressions of art—in an art world that was, for us, traditional. Abstract expressionism was happening, a new form of art that was very important for us. I would say that’s what moved us together."

Considered a key figure in Viennese Actionism of the 1960s, the late Hermann Nitsch’s radical method of painting is encompassed through his creation of the Orgien Mysterien Theatre, a concept of ceremonial performance art comparable to Wagner’s ‘Gesamtkunstwerk’ (total art work). This total art form calls to all five human senses, advocating a profound existentialist reflection. Nitsch created paintings using his entire body––they are simultaneously the origin and the result of his performances. With oil or acrylic paint, Nitsch applies the medium to his canvases using unconventional tools as well as his hands, feet, and body movements. Nitsch exemplifies his...

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Works

Hermann Nitsch
Schüttbild, 2021
acrylic on canvas
200 x 300 cm
78 3/4 x 118 1/8 in
Hermann Nitsch
Schüttbild (BFII_14_21), 2021
acrylic on canvas
200 x 300 cm
78 3/4 x 118 1/8 in
Hermann Nitsch
Schüttbild (BFII_15_21), 2021
acrylic on canvas
200 x 300 cm
78 3/4 x 118 1/8 in
Hermann Nitsch
Schüttbild (BFI_25_21), 2021
acrylic on canvas
200 x 300 cm
78 3/4 x 118 1/8 in
Hermann Nitsch
HF Ina 21, 2021
acrylic on canvas
200 x 150 cm
78 37/50 x 59 3/50 inches
Hermann Nitsch
HF_Alissa_21, 2021
acrylic on canvas
200 x 150 cm
78 37/50 x 59 3/50 inches
Hermann Nitsch
K_Nils_21, 2021
acrylic on canvas
100 x 80 cm
39 37/100 x 31 1/2 inches
Hermann Nitsch
K_05_20, 2020
acrylic on canvas
100 x 80 cm
39 37/100 x 31 1/2 inches
Hermann Nitsch
K_06_20, 2020
acrylic on canvas
100 x 80 cm
39 3/8 x 31 1/2 in
Hermann Nitsch
K_16_20, 2020
acrylic on canvas
100 x 80 cm
39 3/8 x 31 1/2 in
Hermann Nitsch
K_enya_20, 2020
acrylic on canvas
titled, signed and dated on the reverse
100 x 80 cm
39 3/8 x 31 1/2 in
Hermann Nitsch
HF_048_20, 2020
acrylic on canvas
200 x 150 cm
78 3/4 x 59 1/8 in
Hermann Nitsch
action painting 14_18, 2018
acrylic on canvas
200 x 300 cm
78 3/4 x 118 1/8 in
Hermann Nitsch
19_14, 2014
acrylic on canvas
200 x 300 cm
78 3/4 x 118 1/8 in
Hermann Nitsch
Pat_11, 2011
acrylic on canvas
200 x 300 cm
78 3/4 x 118 1/8 in
Hermann Nitsch
SF_016_12, 2012
acrylic on canvas
100 x 150 cm
39 37/100 x 59 3/50 inches
Hermann Nitsch
SK_02_19, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
100 x 100 cm
39 3/8 x 39 3/8 in
Hermann Nitsch
Untitled, 2018
acrylic on paper on canvas
227 x 166 cm
89 3/8 x 65 3/8 in
framed: 231 x 172 x 6.5 cm
Hermann Nitsch
HF_35_18, 2018
acrylic on canvas
200 x 150 cm
78 37/50 x 59 3/50 inches
Hermann Nitsch
QF_10_18, 2018
acrylic on canvas
200 x 200 x 5 cm
78 3/4 x 78 3/4 in
Hermann Nitsch
Schüttbild, 2013
acrylic on canvas
100 x 80 cm
39 3/8 x 31 1/2 in
Hermann Nitsch
Untitled, 2007
acrylic on canvas
100 x 160 cm
39 3/8 x 63 in