The Masterpiece – Matthias SchallerPhotographs of painting palettes by renowned artists
29.11.2024–04.05.2025 at Schaezlerpalais
Painting palettes have been used by artists to mix colors for centuries. In 2007, photographer Matthias Schaller discovered the painting palette as a photographic object during a visit to the studio of American artist Cy Twombly (1928-2011): “It immediately struck me that it reflected the artist's work.” He then began to systematically research and photograph painting palettes. He now has over 200 photographs of palettes by 86 renowned artists in his archive, representing around 300 years of the history of Western painting.
By cropping the photographed painting palette slightly diagonally at the bottom and then turning it 90 degrees, Schaller first physically detaches the palettes from the artist and then presents them in a vertical position as an independent work of art. The palettes he has photographed range from William Turner, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh and Frida Kahlo to representatives of contemporary art.
Under the title “The Masterpiece”, the Schaezlerpalais is presenting a selection of large-format photographs from this ongoing project. The exhibition was created in collaboration with the Sonnabend Gallery, New York City.
We cordially invite you to the opening on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at 6 pm.
On Thursday, 6 February 2025, at 6 pm, the Artist Talk with Matthias Schaller will take place in the Schaezlerpalais café.
Biography
Born in Dillingen an der Donau, Germany, 1965
M.A. in Cultural Anthropology - University of Göttingen, Siena, Hamburg
Matthias Schaller lives in Venice and New York City.
On the occasion of the Biennale for Architecture 2025, the Berggruen Arts & Culture Foundation will present the series “Controfacciata” by Matthias Schaller in Venice.
In the past, his works have been shown at the Kunstpalast Duesseldorf (2022), Gallerie d'Italia, Milan (2022), Wallraf Richartz Museum, Cologne (2022), Venice Art Biennale, Glass Museum (2019), Site Santa Fe (2019), Victoria and Albert Museum, London (2018) and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (2015), among others.
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