Christian Lemmerz

b. 1959 - Karlsruhe

Christian Lemmerz (*1959 in Karlsruhe, Germany) is a German/Danish and internationally renowned sculptor. This philosophical and deeply reflective artist revolves in his work around death - and particularly what precedes it. He has created - and continues to create - works that, through their penetrating and fantastical forms, speak directly to both the heart and mind of the viewer or owner. Working in a wide range of materials, from the classical (marble, bronze, and aluminium) to the more unusual (fat, soap, wax, Jesmonite, and insulation foam), his art leaves a lasting impression.

Foto: Petra Kleis

What's for Sale?

This presentation showcases a curated selection of works by Christian Lemmerz. All pieces shown have been sold.

Submit an inquiry to receive access to a showroom featuring all available works.

Sculptures

The presentation consists of sold works.

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Torso

56 x 97 x 31 | 2025 | Bronze

V

5 x 9 | 2023 | Bronze

Lost Child

35 x 107 x 32 | 2008 | Bronze

Torso (2)

8 x 14 | 2023 | Bronze

Jesus Christ Bodybuilder (American version)

30 x 27 | 2013 | Bronze

Adam

150 x 50 x 50 | 2011 | Bronze

Paintings

The presentation consists of sold works.

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Gestalt

140 x 180 | 2025 | Acrylic on canvas

The Infected (I)

30 x 42 | Acrylic on paper

VII

94 x 186 | 2024 | Acrylic on Japanese paper

Face 5

55 x 61 | 2025 | Acrylic on paper

Büste (I)

85 x 110 | 2017 | Coal and Color on Paper

Figure

81.5 x 107 | 2022 | Acrylic on canvas

Graphic works

All lithographs by Christian Lemmerz can be purchased directly from the gallery’s webshop.

Uden titel 32

57 x 76 | 1998 | Lithographs

Uden titel 35

55 x 76 | 1996 | Lithographs

Uden titel ( 21 )

57 x 76 | 1998 | Lithographs

Uden titel 33

57 x 76 | 1998 | Lithographs

Uden titel ( 20 )

57 x 76 | 1998 | Lithographs

Uden titel ( 22)

57 x 76 | 1998 | Lithographs

Videos

Christian Lemmerz

Portrait film by Jacob Jørgensen

Background

Origin and artistic formation

Christian Lemmerz (b. 1959, Karlsruhe, Germany) is a sculptor and visual artist with both German and Danish roots. He was educated at the Academy of Fine Arts in Carrara, Italy, and later at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen (1982–1986). From the outset of his career, Lemmerz emerged as a radical and experimental voice in Danish art, notably through the performance group Værst and the exhibition collective Værkstedet Værst. These early collaborations laid the foundation for an artistic practice that persistently seeks out boundaries—esthetic, existential, and material.

An uncompromising artistic practice

For more than four decades, Lemmerz’s work has revolved around human vulnerability, death, and the transience of the body. Drawing inspiration from mythology, religion, and philosophy—including Søren Kierkegaard and Martin Heidegger—he creates works that balance beauty with discomfort. His choice of materials is wide-ranging: from classical marble, bronze, and aluminium to fat, wax, blood, and insulating foam. Regardless of medium or form, his art is marked by an uncompromising engagement with life’s fundamental questions. In works such as Genfærd, The Last God, La Apparizione, and Largo, the viewer is confronted with what is often avoided: loss, death, grief, and powerlessness.

Humanity, art, and existence

Today, Christian Lemmerz is regarded as one of the most significant figures in Danish contemporary art and is a recipient of the Danish Arts Foundation’s lifetime honorary grant. He has exhibited widely both nationally and internationally, and his works are represented in numerous museum collections. Throughout his career, he has maintained a steadfast belief in the power of art to ask difficult questions and to act as a critical force within human existence.

Cocorona

A solo exhibition from 2021 shown at Galleri Franz Pedersen. Contact us for a complete overview of available works.

Christian Lemmerz: “These paintings and drawings were created in January 2020. At that time, the epidemic was still something we heard about from China, and I began postponing—and later cancelling—my planned work trips to Italy. I started making the first corona images. When Denmark went into lockdown in March, I painted every day. I occupied one end of the dining table at home, and a kind of spontaneous diary emerged. In my review and ‘re-reading’ of this diary, I have destroyed or painted over many of the works.”


04.04.20 - Flagermus

75 x 82 | 2020 | Acrylic on canvas

09.02.20 - Corona Talk

107 x 73 | 2020 | Acrylic on canvas

Grüner Morgen (11.03.20)

107 x 73 | 2020 | Acrylic on canvas

Spotlight

Please contact the gallery for further information.

Saratu Dauda

140 x 180 | 2024 | Acrylic on canvas

Selected Projects

Dive Deeper

In an honest and moving interview, Christian Lemmerz speaks about how death has been a recurring theme throughout his entire career—and life. From the bronze sculpture Lazarus at Bispebjerg Hospital to the work The Last God, Lemmerz confronts the fragility of life and the inevitability of its end.

Christian Lemmerz:
“I think I am a good artist — I just haven’t made any good works.

Read more here

Webshop

View the gallery’s selection of lithographs, etchings, and books by Christian Lemmerz in Galleri Franz Pedersen’s webshop.

In the webshop, you will also find works by other renowned artists. We offer secure payment and fast delivery within 3–5 business days.

See more

CV

Curriculum Vitae

  • Education

    1. 1978 - 1982

      The Academy of Fine Arts, Carrara, Italy

    2. 1982 - 1986

      The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Denmark

    3. 1985

      Performance group Værst, Denmark

    4. 1982 - 84

      Workplace Værst, Denmark

  • Solo exhibitions

    1. 2025

      "Medea", Hans Alf Gallery, Copenhagen

    2. 2024

      "Fracaso", Skistehandlen, Faaborg

    3. 2021

      The Last of Us, Faurschou Foundation, New York, US

    4. 2020

      Cocorona, Gallery Franz Pedersen, Horsens Denmark

    5. 2019

      "EYESCAPE" with Lars Top- Galia, Copenhagen Contemporary, Copenhagen, Denmark

      "Uriel", Hans Alf Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Group exhibitions

    1. 2019

      "Family", Nordic Contemporary, Paris, France

      "The Red Bean Grows in the South", Faurschou Foundation, New York, USA

    2. 2018

      "Darkest Before Dawn", Nordic Contemporary, Paris, France

      "Carl Nielsen og Anne Marie Carl Nielsens legat", Den Frie, Copenhagen

    3. 2017

      "CC:LAB Virtual Reality". Copenhagen Contemporary, Copenhagen "TESER. Danske samtidskunstnere i dialog med reformationen"Rundetaarn, Ribe Art Museum, Fuglsang Art Museum, The Museum of Religious Art, Lemvig and Stiftung Christliche Kunst in Wittenberg, Germany. "New Media Art (Virtual Reality): Paul McCarthy & Christian Lemmerz". Faurschou Foundation, Venice, Italy.

    4. 2016

      "Célébration", Ringsted Galleriet, Ringsted, Denmark

      "The Continual Condition", Hans Alf Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark

    5. 2014

      "Fluid Flesh", Nordic Contemporary, Paris, France

      "Masterpieces", Gallerie Wolfsen, Denmark

      "Et Brask Spark", Munkeruphus, Denmark

      "Nocturne", Sydhavn Station, Denmark

      "Drømmeland", Kunsten - Museum of Modern Art, Aalborg, Danmark

      "Portraits of God", Hans Alf Gallery, København, Danmark

      "OMHANDLING!", Gallery Poulsen, København, Danmark

  • Works

    1. 2019

      Ghost Ship, Copenhagen Light Festival

    2. 2018

      SOS, Danish Ministry of Culture, Copenhagen Light Festival

    3. 2017

      Lazarus, Bronze. Commission for Ny Carlsbergfondet at Bispebjerg Hospital

      Silence. Memorial for policemen killed on duty. Carrara marble, Danish Police headquater.

      Dark Rain. Commission of 280 square meter ceiling painting at Bestseller Store Romerhus in Aarhus, Denmark

    4. 2014

      Paradiso, private commission

    5. 2013

      Todesfigur.Marble, donated by Architect Henning Larsen, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Denmark

  • Presentations

    1. 1997

      “Medea”, Merete Nørgaard, Odense Performance Festival, Denmark

    2. 1996

      “Failagain Wake”, with Michael Kvium, ARKEN – Museum of Modern Art, Ishøj, Denmark

    3. 1989

      “Luxury / Fluxus”, Performance Group Værst, Copenhagen, Denmark

      “The Musicians Paint – The Painters Make Music and the Writers Keep Quiet”, Ministry of Culture, Overgaden, Copenhagen, Denmark

      “Body”, Performance Group Værst, Aarhus Festival, Aarhus, Denmark

      “Body”, Performance Group Værst, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen, Denmark

    4. 1988

      “Work in Progress”, Performance Group Værst, Permutant Wurst Festival, Copenhagen, Denmark

    5. 1987

      “Aphasia III”, Performance Group Værst, Roskilde Festival, Roskilde, Denmark

      “Aphasia II”, Performance Group Værst, Suomenlinna (Sveaborg), Finland

      “Aphasia I”, Performance Group Værst, Café Kellerdirk, Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Set Design

    1. 2016

      La Somnabula. Directed by Runar Hodne, Opera Hedeland

    2. 2010

      Dancer in the Dark. Directed by Kasper Bech Holten, The Royal Opera House

    3. 2006

      Genevieve. Directed by Kasper Bech Holten, Bard College, USA Omstigning til Paradis. Directed by Emil Hansen, Turbinehallerne, Royal Danish Theatre

    4. 2001

      Jeff Koons. Directed Peter Langdal, Betty Nansen Teatret

    5. 1997

      Alptraum. Direction and set design, Edison

  • Public Collections

    1. Esbjerg Art Museum

      Esbjerg, Denmark

    2. Horsens Art Museum

      Horsens, Denmark

    3. Department of Prints and Drawings og National Gallery of Art

      Copenhagen, Denmark

    4. Køge Sketch Collection

      Køge, Denmark

    5. The National Historical Museum at Frederiksborg Castle

      Hillerød, Denmark

  • Films

    1. 2008

      "The Wake", 11th Cairo International Bienniale, Cairo, Egypten

    2. 2001

      “The Wake”, a film by Christian Lemmerz and Michael Kvium

      “The Wake” tour:

      30 March 2001 – 31 March 2001, Centro de Arte Moderna, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Lisbon

      9 February 2001 – 4 March 2001, Horsens Art Museum, Horsens, Denmark

      16 January 2001 – 10 February 2001, The Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh, England


    3. 2000

      “The Wake”, a film by Christian Lemmerz and Michael Kvium

      “The Wake” tour:

      6 December 2000 – 31 January 2001, Buenos Aires Art Biennial, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Argentina

      16 November 2000 – 30 January 2001, Havana Biennial, Cuba

      13 November 2000 – 30 January 2001, Pinacoteca, São Paulo, Brazil

      1999

      “The Wake”, a film by Christian Lemmerz and Michael Kvium

      “The Wake” tour:

      4 November 1999, Kampnagel, Hamburg, Germany

      15 October 1999 – 16 December 1999, World Wide Video Festival, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

      13 September 1999, Royal Museum of Art, Art Biennial 2000 / 1994



    4. 1991

      “Albert at Andy’s”, a portrait of the Danish artist Albert Mertz

    5. 1986

      “Porridge”, Performance Group Værst, 16 mm, 20 minutes

  • Theatre

    1. 2010

      “Dancer in the Dark”, The Royal Danish Theatre, Copenhagen, Denmark

    2. 1997

      “Alp.Traum” (after James Joyce, Finnegans Wake), Edison, Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Grants

    1. 2010

      Lifetime grant, Danish Arts Foundation

    2. 2009

      Thorvaldsen Medal

    3. 1998

      Eckersberg Medal

    4. 1987

      Arthur Købke Grant

      Hafnia Travel Grant

      Irgens Bergh Art Grant

    5. 1986

      Michaelsen Drawing Grant

  • Literature

    1. 1993

      “ABFALL”, ed.: Christian Gether, Vestsjællands Art Museum

    2. 1986

      "AFASI", Gallery Prag

    3. 1989

      "BABYLEIB", Gallery Prag,

    4. 1986

      "Das Zeug", Gallery Specta

    5. 1995

      Finberg, Bonny, "Christian Lemmerz", Cover Magazine, March issue

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