Anselm Kiefer: Seal My Ears Shut and I Shall Hear You Still

Kiefer's new paintings explore feminine archetypes and landscape through classical mythology, employing thickly textured layers of oil, acrylic, gold leaf, and electrolysis sediment.

Why go

The exhibition draws on Rilke's poetry and Caspar David Friedrich's landscapes to create allegorical narratives; Kiefer's use of electrolysis sediment—a verdigris green produced through electrical current—physically realizes his long-standing interest in alchemy.

What to expect

Large-scale paintings (110¼ × 149⅝ inches) featuring rough, heavily textured surfaces with embedded materials including collaged canvas, gold leaf, and verdigris sediment; works titled after classical female figures (Clytie, Leucothoe, Dryope, Tyche, Neaera) and inscribed with verses from Rilke's The Book of Hours.

Things to know

• Exhibition runs May 15–June 27, 2026 at 541 West 24th Street, New York.
• Kiefer drew inspiration from poet Rainer Maria Rilke and painter Caspar David Friedrich.
• The title references a verse from Rilke's The Book of Hours (1899–1903), written while Rilke was secretary to sculptor Auguste Rodin.
• Works employ oil, acrylic, emulsion, shellac, collaged canvas, gold leaf, and sediment of electrolysis—a deep verdigris green produced by ex
• Featured works include Für R.M.R. wirf mir die Ohren zu: ich kann dich hören (2023–25), Neaira (2025), Tyche (2024), Klytia und Leukothoe (2
• The exhibition advances Kiefer's ongoing exploration of feminine archetypes and landscape as symbolic form.

Plan your visit

Gallery hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10–6. Located at 541 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10011. Contact: +1 212 741 1111 or newyork@gagosian.com.