Resurrexit, 1973 (200 Kb) Oil, acrylic, and charcoal Anselm Kiefer

The composition is divided into two distinct registers, sharply delineated by a horizontal boundary. The upper portion presents a stylized architectural structure resembling a steeply pitched roof, constructed from what appears to be rough-hewn timber. A small window, framed within the wooden construction, offers a glimpse of an undefined space beyond. Inscribed on the lower edge of this structure are illegible markings, adding a layer of cryptic symbolism.
Below this elevated plane lies a landscape rendered in a more naturalistic style, though still imbued with a sense of unease and foreboding. A dense forest dominates the scene, its skeletal trees reaching upwards towards a sky suffused with an unsettling blue-grey light. The perspective draws the eye deep into the woodland, creating a feeling of vastness and isolation. The ground is covered in fallen leaves and debris, suggesting decay and dormancy.
At the base of the composition, a coiled serpent emerges from the earth. Its form is rendered with considerable detail, its scales meticulously depicted, and it appears to be rising from a bed of scattered foliage and what looks like discarded objects. The color palette here shifts towards earthy tones – browns, ochres, and muted greens – contrasting with the cooler hues above.
The juxtaposition of these two registers – the rigid, man-made structure above and the organic, wild landscape below – suggests a complex interplay between order and chaos, confinement and freedom. The architectural element could be interpreted as representing societal structures or spiritual constraints, while the forest embodies the untamed forces of nature or perhaps the subconscious mind.
The serpent’s presence introduces further layers of meaning. Its traditional associations with temptation, knowledge, and transformation are immediately apparent. It seems to represent a primal energy that is both destructive and generative, emerging from the depths of the earth and challenging the established order above. The illegible inscription on the roof adds another layer of ambiguity, hinting at hidden narratives or suppressed truths.
The overall effect is one of profound psychological tension, inviting contemplation on themes of mortality, redemption, and the enduring power of nature to both nurture and threaten human existence.