Anselm Kiefer

Johannislogen [St John's Lodge]

About this artwork

'Johanneslogen' is the name of the meeting places or lodges of the brotherhood of the Freimauerer (Freemasons), named after their patron saint, John the Baptist. The lodge has a hierarchical structure comprising three stepped levels: apprentice, journeyman and master. Despite their difference in rank however, the Freemasons consider themselves to be a community of equals who reach their decisions democratically. In post-1945 Germany the Freemasons’ reputation has become somewhat tainted. The history and culture of the brotherhood are too closely intertwined with the militant German-Prussian nationalism of the early twentieth century, which ended in the fascism of the Nazis. Since his early career Anselm Kiefer has been drawn to the icons, motifs and themes of the German cultural and political tradition that energised the rise of the National Socialists. He believes that confrontation with these visual motives may have a collectively therapeutic and healing effect on the German people.

Updated before 2020

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  • artist:
    Anselm Kiefer (born 1945) German
  • title:
    Johannislogen [St John's Lodge]
  • date created:
    2007
  • materials:
    Photograph, black and white, on paper with paint
  • measurements:
    123.00 x 130.00 cm
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d’Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Art Fund, 2011
  • accession number:
    AR01170
  • gallery:
  • subject:
  • glossary:
This artwork is part of Artist Rooms
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Anselm Kiefer

Anselm Kiefer