Varus
1976
oil on canvas
200 x 270,5 cm
currently not on display
acquired in 1979
inventory number 835
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Description
Anselm Kiefer looks for a way within existing landscapes. In the case of Varus, that landscape is German Teutoburgerwald, where in 9 CE the Roman army led by Varus was defeated by German commander Hermann (Arminius). The terrain was unfamiliar to the Romans, which aided in their defeat. Commandor Hermann deployed landscape as a weapon. In this work landscape represents national identity.
