Wer jetzt kein Haus hat, baut sich keines mehr-für R.M. Rilke

Anselm Kiefer is an important representative of German Neo-Expressionism and one of the most internationally influential contemporary artists. Drawing on mythology, poetry, and mysticism, he transforms unconventional materials into alchemical fusions, turning reflections on postwar German history and the depths of human experience into symbols of destruction and rebirth. This artwork takes its inspiration from the imagery in Rilke’s poem Herbsttag (Autum Day)—when the vast glow of summer has withdrawn, those who have no home now will savor the last sweetness pressed from ripened fruit, and wander restlessly through the avenues as the leaves are driven. In the painting, branches, withered leaves, and faded flowers layered from unconventional materials such as lead, rope, shellac, together with oil and acrylic, obscure a pale sky, reflecting the passing of humanity’s radiant summer, while also summoning us to walk through the heavy autumn of the present, nurturing hope for rebirth amid uncertainty.

Herbsttag
Herr: es ist Zeit. Der Sommer war sehr groß.
Leg deinen Schatten auf die Sonnenuhren,
und auf den Fluren laß die Winde los.

Befiehl den letzten Früchten voll zu sein;
gieb ihnen noch zwei südlichere Tage,
dränge sie zur Vollendung hin und jage
die letzte Süße in den schweren Wein.

Wer jetzt kein Haus hat, baut sich keines mehr.
Wer jetzt allein ist, wird es lange bleiben,
wird wachen, lesen, lange Briefe schreiben
und wird in den Alleen hin und her
unruhig wandern, wenn die Blätter treiben.

Autumn Day

Lord: it is time. The summer was immense.
Stretch out your shadow on the sundial’s face,
and on the meadows let the winds go loose.

Command the last fruits to be full in time;
grant them even two more southerly days,
press them toward fulfillment soon and chase
the last sweetness into the heavy wine.

Whoever has no house now, will build none.
Who is alone now, will stay long alone,
will lie awake, read, get long letters written,
and through the streets that follow up and down
will wander restless, when the leaves are driven.

(trans. John Felstiner)