Synopsis
In this essay I will examine and discuss Anselm Kiefer’s Winterwald. In order to understand the meaning and context of this work we also need to consider Kiefer’s previous political work Occupations. This provides an understanding of the critical political position of the artist Anselm Kiefer, who unflinchingly confronts the Holocaust. After establishing his artistic and ideological background, I will then take a closer look at his art piece Winterwald. Comparisons will be drawn with other forest paintings to analyze its iconography. The purpose of this essay is to uncover the mythological elements and illustrate the respective political intentions through a semiotic lens.

