Artefact Gallery Presents ‘das Große Ermatten’ | Linus Beckmann’s Debut Solo Show

Private Preview: April 10, 2025 | 6 – 8 PM

On View: April 11, 2025 – June 13, 2025

ARTEFACT Gallery is proud to present Das große Ermatten, the debut solo exhibition of Berlin-based painter Linus Beckmann. On view from April 11 - June 13, 2025, the exhibition will unveil an entirely new series of paintings created exclusively for this occasion, offering an in-depth exploration of Beckmann’s distinctive narrative style, where layered painting compositions give rise to enigmatic scenes.

Beckmann’s style is defined by evocative sceneries, shrouded in a haze that blurs the line between reality and the surreal. Beneath translucent layers of glaze, mysterious beings and allegorical contexts emerge, inviting viewers to uncover hidden narratives. In his personal approach to narrative painting, the artist shifts attention away from the subjects’ gestures, allowing the atmosphere of the composition to drive the story. Beckmann often abstracts and manipulates his figures to conform to the limits of the canvas, establishing a dynamic relationship between the protagonists and their environment. Drawing inspiration from Renaissance and Baroque masters, he reimagines historical influences through a dreamlike lens, infusing his work with otherworldly mystery.

The title, Das große Ermatten, contains the layered German term ‘ermatten’ that can evoke surrender or exhaustion without a precise English equivalent, and sets the tone for the exhibition, with figures drifting between dreams, sleep and death, defeated yet firmly open to fate. Here, surrender becomes a form of strength, blurring the line between being overtaken and embracing the inevitable. The large-scale oil paintings Ta-tah (2025) and Ermatt (2025) explore themes inspired by German Renaissance painter Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472–1553). Referencing his renowned paintings The Beheading of John the Baptist and Judith with the Head of Holofernes, Beckmann deconstructs their emblematic qualities while highlighting the contradictory vibrancy of the colors that define these violent scenes.

Beckmann brings his motifs to life using centuries-old glazing techniques, adapting them to suit his own painting approach. Layering each painting with 8 to 12 coats of oil paint and glaze, the process demands considerable time and patience, as each layer must dry before the next is applied. Much like an MRI scan revealing hidden details beneath the surface, this complex method builds depth in the work, with every detail carefully added layer by layer. His paintings are not only an expression of creativity but, above all, embody a living homage to a technique passed down through generations. Through his use of color, the hues appear to glow from within the paintings, as if light is trapped between the layers rather than coming from the surface, giving each piece a tangible depth. The ultra-thin layers maintain the canvas texture, encouraging a dynamic interaction between the medium, the figures, and the viewer. The reflective resin layers not only highlight the materials’ role in conveying meaning but also create a surface that captures the viewer’s reflection, inviting them to become part of these dreamlike narratives, adding an additional layer of symbolism.

The debut solo exhibition by painter Linus Beckmann highlights ARTEFACT Gallery’s ongoing commitment to supporting Berlin’s dynamic art scene. With a sharp focus on emerging talent, the gallery offers exhibitions to artists who are not yet represented, giving them a platform to showcase their work to new audiences and collectors.