Description
EXHAUSTED by Reinhard Stammer – The Weight of Silence
“EXHAUSTED” (2015) by Reinhard Stammer is not simply a depiction of fatigue — it is the material embodiment of it. Painted in mixed media on wood, the work carries the dense, sculptural presence of a surface that has absorbed emotion like a body absorbs time. Its thick texture and muted chromatic field express the aftermath of intensity: the point where vitality fades into reflection.
The Stillness After the Storm
Stammer’s composition is minimal, yet charged. Faint outlines, broken gestures, and restrained tonal layers reveal a figure caught in quiet suspension. The artist’s hand is both present and withdrawn — a paradox that defines much of his 2010s output. Every stroke feels necessary, each mark carrying emotional residue rather than decorative intent. “Exhausted” reads as the visual trace of a human spirit that has burned brightly, now resting in the ashes of its own energy.
Material Truth and Emotional Honesty
The work exemplifies Stammer’s devotion to Art Brut and Neo-Expressionism — art that refuses polish, speaking instead through the direct language of material. Layers of paint and scratches are left exposed; nothing is concealed. The neutral greys and earthy tones evoke both stone and skin, grounding the piece in human experience. It feels ancient and immediate at once, echoing his belief that art must remain visceral to remain alive.
2015 – A Turning Point
This period marks a transition in Stammer’s career. While earlier works often balanced raw symbolism with emotional narrative, “Exhausted” reduces everything to essence. It is the artist’s dialogue with emptiness — not despair, but the necessity of rest after creation. The painting stands as a quiet counterpart to the more gestural intensity of his 2013–2014 works, closing a cycle of confrontation with the self.
The Artist – Reinhard Stammer (*1952, Glückstadt, Germany)
Born in 1952 in Glückstadt, Reinhard Stammer forged a distinctive voice within contemporary Art Brut. His art transcends stylistic boundaries, channeling authenticity and vulnerability through texture and line. His paintings are held in numerous European collections and are noted for their psychological depth and material boldness. “Exhausted” embodies this spirit — an image of silence that still vibrates with presence.
Authenticity and Presentation
- Original mixed media on wood, signed by the artist
- Dimensions: 56 × 40 cm
- Year: 2015
- Professionally framed
- Certificate of Authenticity and provenance documentation included
“EXHAUSTED” is not about defeat — it is about survival. It captures the human condition at its most honest: when strength becomes stillness, and silence becomes the final gesture.
