Arnulf Rainer - Königsschizophrenie

From 1965 onwards, Arnulf Rainer once again dedicated himself to figurative-hallucinatory drawings for a period of time. Imaginary portraits took center stage during this phase. Legendary heroes, divine figures, and poet-princes, depicted as grotesque faces, were popular subjects in this, as Otto Breicha called it, "phantasmagorical" creative period, during which Rainer returned to his surrealist beginnings.

The work "Königsschizophrenie" (King Schizophrenia), created in 1966, is a reworking of a lithograph produced in the same year, specifically intended for coloring and overpainting (Breicha L25 Kopf / p. 132). It features a grotesque, imaginary portrait head that Rainer extensively worked on with colored pencils and oil pastels. The piece is signed and dated, with the inscriptions "KÖNIGSSCHIZOPHRENIE" and "TRRRR66."

Overall, Arnulf Rainer's work during this period reflects an impressive fusion of surrealist inspiration and experimental technique. His creations serve as fascinating testimony to his artistic versatility.