Het beroemdste schilderij van Olaf Breuning is Bully (2015), in het THAT'S CONTEMPORARY, Milaan. Met Napoleon (2018) en One Second, Whose Legs? (2018) wordt de trilogie van de drie werken die iedereen herkent voltooid. Onze catalogus bevat 10 werken van Olaf Breuning; de 10 hieronder zijn de werken die de wereld het meest bekijkt, elk met het jaartal, het museum waar het zich bevindt en de reden waarom het belangrijk is.
Gerangschikt op basis van onze populariteitsscore, die de zoekopdrachten, bezoeken en bestellingen voor elk werk combineert. Bijgewerkt in november 2026.
We are looking at Happy Painters, a work by the Swiss artist Olaf Breuning. This piece was produced about 2018 and exists as a C-Print. It carries a physical presence that is quite substantial, measuring 122 x 155 cm (48 x 61 in.).
In this 2018 work, we find ourselves looking at a group of nine individuals gathered on the back of a red boat. The scene is captured in black and white, a choice that strips away the distractions of color to focus on the raw presence of the figures. Some of these people are dressed in ties, suggesting a formal or perhaps even professional context, while others appear more casual. A…
There is a quiet irony in the way the figures occupy the space. They are individuals wearing the faces of others, creating a layer of social distance. The trucks and the outdoor setting suggest a temporary gathering, a fleeting moment of play that has turned into something more permanent and strange. The image asks nothing of the viewer but to witness the oddity of the pose. It is a fragment…
Het museum met de meeste schilderijen op deze pagina.
| Museum | Stad | Werken van Olaf Breuning | Schilderijen uit deze lijst |
|---|---|---|---|
 THAT'S CONTEMPORARY |
Milaan | 10 | Bully, Napoleon, One Second, Whose Legs? |
Olaf Breuning was slechts 4 jaar actief, van 2015 tot 2018. Hier is die korte carrière jaar voor jaar, aan de hand van de beroemdste schilderijen.
We are looking at Happy Painters, a work by the Swiss artist Olaf Breuning. This piece was produced about 2018 and exists as a C-Print. It carries a…
In this 2018 work, we find ourselves looking at a group of nine individuals gathered on the back of a red boat. The scene is captured in black…
There is a quiet irony in the way the figures occupy the space. They are individuals wearing the faces of others, creating a layer of social distance. The…
Bully (2015), THAT'S CONTEMPORARY, Milaan. Daarna volgen Napoleon (2018) en One Second, Whose Legs? (2018).
45 jaar oud: Bully dateert uit 2015 en Olaf Breuning werd geboren in 1970.
Bully, Napoleon, One Second, Whose Legs?, This Time It Will Work, Traffic in the Sea, Happy Painters, We Are All In the Same Boat, You Can, Heart en Don’t Worry. De bovenstaande ranglijst vermeldt het jaar en het museum van elk werk.
Onze catalogus bevat 10 werken van Olaf Breuning, gedateerd van 2015 tot 2018.
De meeste bevinden zich in THAT'S CONTEMPORARY (Milaan). De bovenstaande tabel somt de musea één voor één op.
In 2018: 7 van de 10 werken op deze pagina dateren uit die periode, waaronder Napoleon.
De oudste op deze pagina is Bully (2015), de nieuwste Napoleon (2018).
Black and White Photography: 2 van de 10 werken op deze pagina.
Bully, Napoleon en One Second, Whose Legs? behoren tot de 10 werken op deze pagina die in het THAT'S CONTEMPORARY, Milaan worden bewaard.
Born in the quiet Swiss town of Schaffhausen in 1970, Olaf Breuning has emerged as a captivating enfant terrible within the contemporary art landscape. His artistic journey is defined by a profound, often disillusioned, gaze upon the world—a perspective that does not merely observe but actively deconstructs the absurdities of modern existence. Now residing in Upstate New York, Breuning carries with him a distinctly Swiss sensibility: a meticulous, thoughtful approach to observation paired with an irrepressible urge for experimental play. His work serves as a personal diary, fueled by the rhythms of everyday life and rendered through a lens of biting satire and deceptive simplicity.
Breuning’s practice is remarkably multifaceted, refusing to be tethered to a single medium. He moves fluidly between photography, film, ceramics, engraving, and drawing, creating a body of work that feels both direct and deliberately regressive. In recent years, he has expanded his repertoire to include painting, utilizing naïve, almost childlike forms and colors applied via woodcut stamps made from solid wooden blocks. This tactile, rhythmic method of creation adds a layer of raw, physical presence to his explorations of contemporary reality. Whether through the stillness of a photograph or the three-dimensionality of a sculpture, Breunding’s art seeks to undermine simple readings of our surroundings, forcing the viewer to confront the complexities hidden beneath the surface of the mundane.
The intellectual architecture of Breuning’s work is deeply rooted in the traditions of conceptualism. Drawing inspiration from pioneers such as Marcel Duchamp and Joseph Kosuth, he operates within a lineage that prioritizes the potency of the idea over traditional aesthetic perfection. This influence is evident in his use of found objects and unconventional materials to create pieces that are as conceptually dense as they are visually arresting. By juxtaposing disparate elements, Breuning mirrors the fragmented and often contradictory nature of navigating modern life, using irony and humor to interrogate societal norms rather than simply depicting them.
As his career has progressed, a recurring concern for the relationship between humanity and the natural world has become increasingly prominent. His recent series of paintings, for instance, playfully yet poignantly address pressing global issues such as climate change. This evolution demonstrates an artist who is not content to remain static; instead, he adapts his techniques—from the satirical caricatures of his early years to more profound environmental commentaries—to reflect the shifting anxieties of the global community. His work remains a constant dialogue between the whimsical and the weighty, using wit to navigate the heavy themes of identity, vulnerability, and ecological impact.
Breuning’s ascent within the international art scene has been marked by prestigious solo exhibitions and participation in some of the world's most significant contemporary art forums. His work has been showcased in renowned institutions such as:
Through these milestones, Breuning has secured a position as a vital voice in postmodern art. His ability to blend high-concept intellectualism with a sense of play and accessibility ensures that his work resonates far beyond the gallery walls. By utilizing humor as a tool for critique, he invites the audience into a shared space of reflection, making the profound accessible through the absurd. His ongoing commitment to creation—a manifesto to continue until his final breath—promises a legacy of art that will continue to challenge, provoke, and delight for generations to come.