Deep sorrow for Arnulf Rainer

The Arnulf Rainer Museum is deeply saddened by the passing of Arnulf Rainer and mourns the loss of this exceptional artist. The internationally renowned artist died on December 18, 2025, at the age of 96.

Arnulf Rainer, born on December 8, 1929, in Baden, leaves behind an unforgettable legacy in the art world. As a pioneer of informal painting in Austria, he gradually developed the principle of overpainting, which subsequently became his trademark. Originally rooted in Surrealism, Arnulf Rainer expanded his artistic repertoire to include an impressive variety of expressive forms, encompassing overpainting, overdrawing, and gestural painting with his hand and fingers. His "Face Farces" and "Body Poses," in which Rainer reworked photographic self-portraits with dynamic painting gestures, achieved iconic status.

Rainer was not only a master of his craft, but also an intellectual thinker. His writings offer insights into his artistic work and his world of thought. With his work, Arnulf Rainer expanded the boundaries of art and inspired generations of artists.

"With deep sorrow, the State of Lower Austria bids farewell to an exceptional artist and a remarkable human being. Arnulf Rainer is undoubtedly a world-class artist and ranks among the most important contemporary artists of all time. We are proud that he maintained such a close connection to Lower Austria throughout his life. Arnulf Rainer was an outstanding ambassador for our state around the world." Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner

"The city of Baden pays tribute to the Baden-born artist Arnulf Rainer. We mourn the loss of a great figure in Baden's history. His path led him far and wide, yet his roots always remained firmly planted in the city of Baden. The Arnulf Rainer Museum, founded in 2009, honors his artistic achievements in his birthplace." Carmen Jeitler-Cincelli, Mayor of the City of Baden near Vienna

"Arnulf Rainer's entire oeuvre testifies to his exploration of the human condition. Particularly in his crosses, death and life, or as Rainer himself remarked, 'Nothing against Everything,' converge. With his passing, we bid farewell to one of the greatest artists of our time." Nikolaus Kratzer, Curator, Arnulf Rainer Museum

“With the death of Arnulf Rainer, the art world loses one of its greatest visionaries. His legacy, however, lives on at the Arnulf Rainer Museum in Baden near Vienna, which presents and preserves his extraordinary work. The museum is a living testament to his immense contribution to modern art and a worthy place of remembrance and admiration.” Julia Flunger-Schulz, Managing Director, Arnulf Rainer Museum

Awards & Honors: 
In 1981, Arnulf Rainer was appointed professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna (until 1995) and became a member of the Academy of Arts in Berlin. In 1989, the Guggenheim Museum in New York dedicated a retrospective to Arnulf Rainer on the occasion of his 60th birthday—the first ever for a living European artist.

Numerous international honors and awards underscore the significance of his artistic work. In 2003, Rainer was awarded the Rhenus Art Prize in Mönchengladbach for his complete works. The Catholic Faculty of the University of Münster (2004) and the Catholic Theological Private University of Linz (2006) awarded him honorary doctorates. Also in 2006, he became the first non-Spanish artist to receive the Aragón Goya Prize for his life's work. In April 2015, Arnulf Rainer was awarded the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, First Class. In 2019, he received the Grand Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria and the Silver Commander's Cross of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Province of Lower Austria. In April 2025, his life's work was honored with the Grand Gold Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria.