The Austrian artist Arnulf Rainer, one of the most renowned and provocative representatives of Neo-expressionism, made art history especially with his "Ãœbermalungen" [Over Paintings].
After Arnulf Rainer had experimented with Surrealism and Fantastic Realism in his early period of creation, he quickly attained his characteristic expressive style. As of the 1950s he made his gestic over paintings of his own works or works by other artist - an initial lack of material, soon developed into a new form of art. Famous fellow artist made their own works available for Arnulf Rainer's new technique. An intensive questioning of the self and a symbolic self-erasion play a special role in the oeuvre of Arnulf Rainer, examples thereof are the famous photographic portraits "Gesichtsübermalungen" (Face Farces).
Arnulf Rainer, bearer of numerous awards, has been honored in many international exhibitions. Since 2009 his works are shown in a permanent exhibition in the Arnulf Rainer Museum in Baden near Vienna.