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1990s
1990s

During the 1990s, Georg Baselitz continued to evolve and diversify his artistic practice, exploring new media while also deepening his engagement with themes that had preoccupied him throughout his career. This period is marked by significant exhibitions and new ventures in his work, including set design for opera, which broadened the scope of his creative output. In 1993, Baselitz expanded his artistic repertoire by designing the set for Harrison Birtwistle's opera "Punch and Judy," staged at the Dutch Opera in Amsterdam. This foray into set design underscores Baselitz's willingness to experiment with different forms of artistic expression beyond painting and sculpture. Additionally, in 1994, he took on the unique task of designing a postage stamp for the French postal service, further demonstrating his versatility as an artist​ (Art in Context)​. The 1990s also saw Baselitz engaging in sculpture, a medium he had begun exploring in earnest in the previous decade. His work in sculpture during this period, including his participation in the International Pavilion at the Venice Biennale with the "Male Torso" sculpture, continued to challenge conventional forms and push the boundaries of the medium. These sculptures, often executed with the same raw energy and expressive force found in his paintings, contributed to expanding the narrative and emotional depth of his oeuvre​ (Wikipedia)​. Throughout the 1990s, Baselitz's work was featured in numerous exhibitions across Europe, highlighting his status as a leading figure in contemporary art. The decade culminated in a major retrospective of his work in the United States, staged at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. This retrospective not only affirmed Baselitz's significant contributions to art history but also offered American audiences an in-depth look at over six decades of his work, reinforcing his influence on the Neo-Expressionist movement​ (Art in Context)​​ (Wikipedia)​. Baselitz's work during the 1990s is characterized by a continued exploration of his signature inverted paintings, a method that disrupts traditional viewing and interpretation of art, alongside a more linear and abstracted approach to figures within his works. He also revisited many of his earlier works in the "Remix" series, reinterpreting previous subjects with a new perspective that highlighted their elusive meanings and technical innovations​ (Art in Context)​. This decade solidified Baselitz's legacy as an artist unafraid to confront and challenge, whether through the content of his work or his explorations into new artistic territories. His contributions during the 1990s continued to push the boundaries of painting and sculpture, maintaining his relevance and critical acclaim in the contemporary art world.