JOSEPH BEUYS German, 1921-1986

Joseph Beuys (1921 in Krefeld – 1986 in Düsseldorf) is one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. His work expands the traditional concept of art to include social, political, and ecological dimensions, leaving a lasting impact on post-1945 international art. Beuys worked across multiple media, including installation, performance, drawing, and object-based art. Central to his practice are the concepts of the “expanded concept of art” and “social sculpture,” in which art is understood as a transformative force within society. Materials such as felt, fat, and copper carry strong symbolic and transformative significance in his work. His works are held in major international collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate Galleryin London, the Centre Pompidou, and the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen.