Respective 1997 - 1976
- Artist: Martin Kippenberger
- Date: 1997
- Medium: Lithograph on paper
- Dimensions: image: 997 x 678 mm
- Museum: Tate Modern
- Collection record: Tate Modern website
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About this artwork
This is the “Respective” by Martin Kippenberger, a 1997 lithograph on paper that doubles as a cheeky poster. It was created for his Geneva show “Respektive,” a retrospective of his own career, yet Kippenberger flipped the script. Notice the dates run backwards – 1997 to 1976 – and the title is “Respective” instead of “Retrospective.” The close‑up of his face is deliberately theatrical, almost like a staged self‑portrait, reflecting his flair for performance. The artist was fighting terminal cancer at the time, yet he maintained his signature blend of humor, critique, and absurdity. This poster is part of a larger body of 178 prints Kippenberger produced to promote everything from exhibitions to parties, showcasing his playful take on the art world’s conventions.
See it in person
Respective 1997 - 1976 is in the collection of Tate Modern on Bankside, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
