Anselm Kiefer and the Return of the Rebel Angels at Palazzo Strozzi

Anselm Kiefer and the Return of the Rebel Angels at Palazzo Strozzi

Within the walls of Palazzo Strozzi, a window opens on the profound symbolism of the “fallen angels,”  interpreted through the art of Anselm Kiefer. This exhibition represents an exploration of humanity, a journey that intertwines past, present, and future through painting, sculpture, installations, and photography. The narrative starts with the figure of the angels exiled from Paradise, offering the public a reflection on vast existential themes.

From March 22 to July 21, the spaces of Palazzo Strozzi in Florence come alive with “Anselm Kiefer: Fallen Angels,”  including within it an extraordinary novelty: “Engelssturz” (2022-2023), an imposing work of over seven meters that takes inspiration from the apocalyptic duel between the archangel Michael and the dissident angels, an eternal symbol of the conflict between good and evil.

The visitor finds himself in front of 25 works, including historical and recent pieces, and an immersive composition of 60 canvases ranging in different dimensions. Through the use of heterogeneous materials such as lead, wax, seeds, earth, flowers, sand, and ash, Kiefer gives life to creations of intense physicality and palpable presence.

Arturo Galansino, general director of the Palazzo Strozzi Foundation and curator of the exhibition, underlines the uniqueness of the exhibition project created by Kiefer: “His art, full of vitality, dialogues with the Renaissance architecture of Palazzo Strozzi, enriching the works with further levels of meaning. Kiefer, one of the most influential contemporary artists, incessantly draws from literature, philosophy, and history to question the human condition, memories, history, and war conflicts.”