Peter Klasen

Name: ARTMAJEUR
Brand: ARTMAJEUR
Rating: 4.9 (9603 reviews)

Germany •

Artist (Painting) •

Born unknown date •

Peter Klasen is a distinguished German artist celebrated for his collage-style Pop Art paintings and prints that provocatively juxtapose industrial imagery with sexually charged depictions of nude women. Born on August 18, 1935, in Lübeck, Germany, Klasen's artistic journey began with formal training at the Universität der Künste Berlin, where he was influenced by avant-garde luminaries such as Will Grohmann and Hans Richter.

In 1959, Klasen relocated to Paris, a pivotal move that marked the beginning of his prolific career. It was in Paris that he played a pivotal role in founding the La Nouvelle Figuration movement alongside artists Bernard Rancillac and Valerio Adami. Unlike the celebratory tone of Andy Warhol's Pop Art, La Nouvelle Figuration sought to critique consumer culture, a sentiment echoed in Klasen's own work.

Klasen's artistic practice is characterized by his adept use of the airbrush technique to create striking compositions that confront themes of confinement, political control, and fear. His paintings often feature a stark contrast between industrial elements such as pressure gauges and hydraulic circuits, and sensual portrayals of the human form. This juxtaposition serves as a vehicle for exploring the ways in which modern society's structures and systems exert control over individuals, relegating the human body to the background behind imposing barriers and enclosures.

Renowned art critic Claude Bouyeure eloquently captured the essence of Klasen's work, noting how the human body recedes behind the oppressive symbolism of machinery and architecture, a motif that pervades much of the artist's oeuvre.

Today, Peter Klasen continues to reside and work in Paris, France, where his provocative and thought-provoking creations have earned him international acclaim. His works can be found in prestigious collections around the world, including The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, cementing his legacy as a pioneering figure in contemporary art.