The Facts
On September 28, 2026, White Cube announced that Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera will present "The Secret Life of Plants. Anselm Kiefer in the Grothe Collection", the first monographic exhibition dedicated to Anselm Kiefer in Barcelona. The show brings together around 80 works, drawn largely from the private collection of Hans Grothe, one of the most significant private collections devoted to the artist, alongside works from other private collections. It traces themes that have shaped Kiefer's practice throughout his career, including memory, history, nature, mythology and literature, and takes its title from his 2001–2002 painting The Secret Life of Plants, for Robert Fludd. The exhibition runs from October 2, 2026 to January 24, 2027.
The Signal
The exhibition highlights the significance of the Grothe collection as a resource for public institutions, underscoring the growing role of private collectors in shaping exhibition programs. For curators and collectors, it signals sustained institutional interest in Kiefer, whose career-long engagement with memory and history continues to resonate. Barcelona, which has not previously hosted a monographic Kiefer show, is increasingly establishing itself as a destination for major contemporary art presentations.
- Artists: Anselm Kiefer
- People: Hans Grothe
- Galleries: White Cube
- Museums: Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera
- Locations: Barcelona
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