In the 1950s, Georg Baselitz embarked on the early phase of his artistic career, a period that laid the groundwork for his distinctive style and thematic explorations. After being expelled from the Academy of Fine and Applied Art in East Berlin in 1957 for "sociopolitical immaturity," Baselitz moved to West Berlin, where he enrolled at the Hochschule der Künste. This period was marked by his exposure to and engagement with various artistic theories and movements, including the gestural abstraction of Tachism and Art Informel. During his studies, Baselitz was influenced by the works and ideas of artists and theorists such as Ernst Wilhelm Nay, Wassily Kandinsky, and Kasimir Malevich. Additionally, the creative environment of Hann Trier's master class, where Baselitz completed his studies, played a crucial role in shaping his approach to art​ (Wikipedia)​. The late 1950s and early 1960s were pivotal years for Baselitz as he began to produce original works that showcased a unique style. Among these early works were the Rayski-Head series and the painting "G. Head," which signaled the emergence of Baselitz's distinctive voice within the art world. His first solo exhibition in West Berlin in 1963, however, provoked public scandal, particularly with works like "The Big Night Down The Drain" (Die große Nacht im Eimer) and "The Naked Man" (Der Nackte Mann), which were seized by the public prosecutor due to their explicit content. This incident underscored the provocative nature of Baselitz's work and his willingness to challenge societal norms through his art​ (Wikipedia)​. Baselitz's early artistic journey was also characterized by his exploration of printmaking, a medium he valued for its "symbolic power." His engagement with printmaking, alongside his painting practice, underscored his interest in exploring different modes of expression. By the mid-1960s, Baselitz had further refined his thematic focus, as evident in the Heroes (Helden) series, which depicted disheveled and fragmented figures set against barren landscapes. These works reflected a deep engagement with the tumultuous history of post-war Germany and revealed Baselitz's continued evolution as an artist who was deeply engaged with the complexities of human experience and historical memory​ (Wikipedia)​. Throughout this formative period, Baselitz was laying the foundation for his later work, which would continue to challenge and expand the boundaries of painting and sculpture. His early experiences, both in East and West Berlin, and his response to the artistic movements of the time, significantly influenced the development of his distinct approach to art, characterized by a raw, expressive style and a profound engagement with the human condition​ (Encyclopedia Britannica)​.