Markus Lüpertz is one of the most influential figures in postwar German painting and sculpture. Born in 1941 in Reichenberg, then Czechoslovakia (now Liberec, Czech Republic), he grew up in Germany and studied at the Werkkunstschule in Krefeld and later at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. Emerging in the late 1960s, Lüpertz became a central voice in the development of Neo-Expressionism, known for his powerful, expressive style and engagement with both classical and modern artistic traditions.
Throughout his career, Lüpertz has explored the enduring relevance of historical and mythological subjects within contemporary art. His paintings and sculptures often draw on motifs from antiquity, literature and German cultural history, combining bold forms with a distinctive painterly language. Through this dialogue with art history, he reinterprets traditional subjects in a contemporary context.
Alongside his artistic practice, Lüpertz has played an important role in shaping the German art scene. From 1988 to 2009 he served as rector of the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, where he influenced a generation of artists. His work has been widely exhibited internationally and is held in major public and private collections.