Georg Baselitz's Avignon series, created in 2014 and prominently featured at the 2015 Venice Biennale, consists of eight monumental nude self-portraits that stand as a pivotal exploration of self-representation, aging, and the human form. This suite of paintings is not only significant for its introspective depth but also for its technical mastery and historical references, particularly to Pablo Picasso's late works and the Avignon exhibition of Picasso's unappreciated late works shortly after his death.

The Avignon paintings are characterized by the use of bright colors set against dark backgrounds, emphasizing the vulnerability and the marked signs of aging on the artist's body. These self-portraits confront the viewer with the rawness of the human condition, encapsulating themes of mortality and the passage of time. Baselitz's choice of title for this series nods to Picasso's late exhibition in Avignon, thereby positioning his work within a dialogue with the art historical canon, while also reflecting on his own legacy and the nature of artistic innovation and reception.

The presentation of these works in an open octagonal space at the Biennale invited viewers into an immersive experience, encouraging a direct and intimate engagement with the towering figures. This spatial arrangement amplified the impact of the self-portraits, enhancing the interplay between form, color, and emotional expression.

The Avignon series exemplifies Baselitz's enduring fascination with the inversion of motifs, a technique he has employed throughout his career to challenge and reinvigorate traditional modes of representation. By presenting his figure in a state of undress and inversion, Baselitz disrupts conventional expectations of portraiture, inviting a reconsideration of how identity, aging, and artistic legacy are portrayed and perceived in art.

Baselitz’s Avignon paintings represent a critical moment in the artist's oeuvre, reflecting a deep introspection and a continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of painting. The series is a testament to Baselitz's role as a pivotal figure in contemporary art, whose work continues to engage with profound themes of human existence while challenging viewers to see the world from new perspectives​ (Gagosian)​​ (Beyeler Museum)​​ (GalleriesNow.net)​.