Among the most important German artists of the 20th and 21st century Markus Lüpertz occupies one of the front ranks. In terms of style, the art of Markus Lüpertz, who was given the nickname "Malerfürst" [Painter Prince] for his eccentric manner, can be ascribed to neo-expressionism. His paintings are characterized by figurative subjects that are taken to exaggeration by an impulsive stroke of the brush and a stunning coloring, giving them an overall monumental appearance. His paintings often have a socio-critical dimension. Markus Lüpertz himself often describes his art with the adjective "dithyrambic". His sculptures are based on a firm block-like form with raw contours and bordered in colors. All these stylistic features give the art of Markus Lüpertz an archaic impression and vital power. Markus Lüpertz' works have been honored in the context of large retrospectives, among others, in the Kunsthalle of the Hypo-Kulturstiftung in Munich (1997) and recently in the Bundeskunsthalle Bonn (2009/2010).