Georg Baselitz's series "Mrs. Lenin and the Nightingale," created in 2008, is a profound and satirical body of work that delves into historical and political themes with a distinctive, subversive approach. Comprising sixteen large-scale canvases, this series reflects Baselitz's characteristic technique of depicting figures upside down, a method he has employed since the late 1960s to challenge conventional perceptions and emphasize the artificiality of painting (Guggenheim Bilbao) (Guggenheim Bilbao).

The series draws its inspiration from a constructed photograph of Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Lenin, reimagining these infamous Soviet leaders in an absurd and ironic light. In these paintings, Lenin is humorously depicted as "Mrs. Lenin," adorned in a skirt and high-heeled shoes, while Stalin, known for his interest in poetry and singing, is portrayed as "the nightingale." This inversion of traditional representations not only serves to ridicule these figures but also to critique the totalitarian regimes they led, responsible for the deaths of millions (Guggenheim Bilbao) (Guggenheim Bilbao) (White Cube).

Baselitz's use of the upside-down motif in these works helps to distance the viewer from the direct historical context, encouraging a more abstract interpretation. The paintings are divided into two groups of eight: one set featuring bright, polychromatic brushstrokes on a white ground, and the other employing white and grey tones on a black ground. This contrast enhances the visual and thematic dichotomy present throughout the series (White Cube) (Artmap).

Each painting in the series bears a unique title, often an enigmatic phrase or pun that does not directly reference Lenin or Stalin but rather evokes modern and contemporary artists with whom Baselitz feels an affinity. These titles add another layer of complexity and playfulness to the works, inviting viewers to engage with the historical and artistic references embedded in the series(Guggenheim Bilbao) (Artmap).

The "Mrs. Lenin and the Nightingale" series stands out for its ability to blend historical critique with personal reflection, as Baselitz infuses these paintings with his own experiences growing up in the German Democratic Republic. Through this series, Baselitz continues to explore the interplay between abstraction and figuration, history and personal memory, all while maintaining his signature provocative and innovative style(White Cube) (Guggenheim Bilbao).