Effect of War

Discussion through works of art encourage how to approach ambiguous and complex ideas, thoughts, and feelings. The MFAH offers a democratic space where students and teachers can develop, practice and articulate these habits of mind. Remember that the quality of the conversation is what is important, not finding the artist’s “answer.” Slow down and take the time to make careful observations. Talk about what you notice, and try to avoid jumping to conclusions and interpretations. Be sure to give enough time for silent looking and thinking.

Work of Art

The title of this important early work by German artist Anselm Kiefer is a pun on The Song of the Nibelungen, an epic poem from the 13^th century whose plot revolves around a magic ring that grants the power to rule. The Sorrow of the Nibelungen (Der Nibelungen Leid) is one of the “attic paintings,” a series of works that Kiefer painted in 1973 in his attic studio in Odenwald at the edge of the Black Forest. The painting depicts a wooden room with heavily grained bare floorboards and rafters, much like the artist’s studio.

The 13^th century German epic poem, The Song of the Nibelungen, tells the story of the Burgundian ruling family. German composer Richard Wagner, one of Kiefer’s heroes, retold the story of the Nibelungen in his operas Der Ring des Nibelungen, a series often referred to as the Ring Cycle. During World War II, Adolf Hitler used the Nibelungen Lied—along with Wagner’s music—as propaganda.

Kiefer’s work frequently addresses the issue of coming to terms with Germany’s Nazi past. In this painting, he has recorded the names of the fallen rulers of the Nibelungen next to their own pools of blood—transforming the popular legend into an elegy for the dead. The naming of the victims makes their plight more real and more personal, memorializing their deaths and the deaths of all those who have been killed unjustly. The swirling lines of the wood grain and the dramatic illusion of deep space create an animated stage on which a violent drama has just come to an end, the visceral remnants and the pain of its effects still fresh.

With its allusions to the Nibelungen and to Nazi horrors, the painting conflates the glory of Germany’s mythic past with the tragedy of its more recent history. Kiefer also created a searing pun in his title: by substituting “Leid” for “Lied,” The Song of the Nibelungen becomes The Sorrow of the Nibelungen.

In one sense, Kiefer works in the grand tradition of history painters. This painting is rendered on a monumental scale that emphasizes the importance of its subject matter. The realistic and detailed representation of the enormous room creates a sense of awe and reverence, while also reinforcing the actuality of events. Kiefer is well known for his innovative techniques and unusual materials. Here, he puts a contemporary twist on the history genre by scrawling names on the canvas, applying paint freely, and employing unusual media. Kiefer chose burlap rather than canvas and added charcoal drawing over the oil painting. The charcoal lines create an effect similar to that of woodblock printing. However, the rough texture of this painting is more immediate than the smooth surface of a print. These unconventional materials and technique reinforce the painting’s emotional power.

Conversation

• What do you notice about this drawing? Look closely at the background, middle ground, and foreground.

• Why do you think Kiefer chose to render this room on such a large scale and in such careful detail? How does this affect the emotional impact of the painting?
• What types of colors are used throughout the work of art? What associations do you have with these colors?
• Why do you think Kiefer has written names beside the pools of blood? What effect does this have?
• Kiefer chose burlap, rather than canvas, and added charcoal drawing over the oil painting. What does his choice of unconventional materials add to the painting?
• How would the effect of the painting change if he had used more traditional materials?

• Keifer’s work frequently deals with the issues of coming to terms with Germany’s Nazi past. How is this idea of reconciliation with the past represented within this work of art?
• In this painting, the artist has recorded the names of the fallen rulers of the Nibelungen next to their own pools of blood. What does the inclusion of their names add to the work?
• Keifer choose to depict an empty room where the action had just come to an end. How does the deception of the aftermath create a tone of despair? How would the tone change if the artist instead painted the violence of war violent action?
• What is the legacy of the war for the German people today? What about for Jewish people?
• This painting conflates the glory of Germany’s mythic past with the tragedy of its more recent history. Imagine you are a contemporary German citizen. How do you think it would feel to deal with these issues?

• How do the details reflect the tone of the piece?
• How do the details reflect conflict?
• How does the painting portray effects of conflict?
• How might this scene connect to the United States after the Civil War?

Subject Matter

In the discipline of Social Studies, students need to be able to think conceptually and differentiate between which patterns and ideas are common across societies. Students need to be able to recognize those ideas— whether economic, social, and or/political—that are not bound by time and place, and how a group’s perspective may affect the historical interpretation of those ideas/principles.

Assessment

• Students will complete the discussion initially as a chalk talk.
• Students respond in a quick write using their notes on Reconstruction.  To what extent does sorrow play a role in Reconstruction of the United States after the Civil War? Discuss answers with shoulder partner.

Resources

Resources Available to Order

Check our online collection module for further information.