Parsifal I 1973

Anselm Kiefer’s 1973 painting, “Parsifal I,” depicts a wooden interior with a crib in the center, viewed from the doorway. The dark wood walls are painted in a way that evokes charred wood, a motif that recurs throughout his work. The painting reflects on themes of childhood, history, and memory, which are prominent in Kiefer's work. The subject matter likely references the Wagnerian opera *Parsifal,* which tells the story of a knight who must learn innocence and compassion. The work's composition and materiality are reminiscent of German Expressionism, with its bold, textured surfaces and use of dark tones.