Greenberg grins 2013

Georg Baselitz's painting, "Greenberg Grins," is a whirlwind of color and form, challenging our perception of representation. Look closely. Do you see the inverted figure? The motif of inversion, as seen here, transcends mere physical orientation; it becomes a potent symbol of cultural and psychological disruption. Inversion can be traced back to ancient rituals, where turning things upside down was used to access hidden or chaotic energies. Consider the Tarot card "The Hanged Man," where the inverted figure symbolizes sacrifice and enlightenment through a shift in perspective. Baselitz taps into this reservoir of cultural memory, inviting us to question our established viewpoints and embrace the disruptive power of inversion. He also seems to reference the ideas of the art critic Clement Greenberg. The emotional impact is visceral, stirring up feelings of unease, disorientation, but also liberation. The grinning figure, though inverted, challenges us to find new meaning in the chaos. The inverted motif, thus, is not merely a formal device but a complex symbol resonating through history, culture, and the depths of the human psyche.