Gate of the Sun 1994

Jörg Immendorff's "Gate of the Sun" presents us with a complex tableau of symbols, drawing from various cultural and historical wells. The Ankh, prominently displayed as a radiant sun, is an ancient Egyptian symbol of life, immortality, and rebirth. Consider the procession of figures atop a wooden beam, a motif reminiscent of triumphal marches or the carrying of relics, echoing scenes from Roman friezes to Renaissance processional paintings. This symbol of procession is seen in ancient Roman art, where emperors were depicted leading their armies in triumph, a motif that later reappeared in religious art depicting the carrying of holy relics. Observe the mechanical figure, a modern-day colossus, its body housing scenes of industry and society. It evokes the idea of progress, yet it’s burdened by historical weight. There is an emotional tension in the piece, a struggle between tradition and modernity. The cyclical nature of history, the ebb and flow of symbols, reveal how they resurface and evolve. Immendorff's work encapsulates a powerful reminder of the enduring human quest for meaning.