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Joseph Beuys Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Joseph Beuys our visitors look at most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Joseph Beuys · 1921 – 1986

Halved Felt Cross with Dust Image "Magda" (1965)

1965 · Museum Ludwig, Cologne · original 108 x 68 cm

Explore Joseph Beuys’ ‘Halved Felt Cross w/ Dust Image "Magda"’. A textured felt banner featuring a photograph & stylized 'R', embodying Social Sculpture's memorialistic spirit.

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #1: Halved Felt Cross with Dust Image "Magda"

Art Movement: Fluxus
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17725 × 40 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$36468 × 108 cm Commission at original size

Lightning with Stag in Its Glare (1985)

1985 · Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Bilbao

Explore Joseph Beuys’ monumental 'Lightning with Stag'! Bronze & metal installation blending shamanism, nature, & social critique. A unique conceptual art piece.

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #2: Lightning with Stag in Its Glare

Art Movement: Conceptual Art
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17736 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Seminar with Joseph Beuys, Joseph Beuys

Modern Art Oxford, Oxford

Explore the seminar setting photograph featuring Joseph Beuys and others, capturing a moment of intellectual engagement with a grainy texture and muted color palette. Discover insights into Beuys's artistic vision.

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #3: Seminar with Joseph Beuys

Art Movement: Conceptual Art
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$22735 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Bathtub by Joseph Beuys, 1977

1977 · Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, Munich · original 86 x 102 cm

Explore 'Bathtub' by Joseph Beuys (1977). A seminal Fluxus work embodying social sculpture & raw emotion. 86x102cm – a powerful statement of art and humanity.

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #4: Bathtub

Art Movement: Fluxus
Color Palette: Monochrome

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17726 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$40586 × 102 cm Commission at original size

Painting Version 15 by Joseph Beuys, 1976

1976 · Statens Museum For Kunst, Copenhagen

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #5: Painting Version 15

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

King's Daughter Sees Iceland (1960)

1960 · original 114 x 98 cm

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #6: King's Daughter Sees Iceland

Art Movement: Neo-Dada
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$47598 × 114 cm Commission at original size

The Medium

Bavarian State Painting Collections, Munich · original 73.5 x 54.0cm

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$30237 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$39074 × 54 cm Commission at original size

Attempt II (1980)

1980 · Bavarian State Painting Collections, Munich · original 50.0 x 75.0cm

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #8: Attempt II

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17739 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$25875 × 50 cm Commission at original size

The silence of Marcel Duchamp is overrated, Joseph Beuys

1964 · National Gallery of Armenia, Yerevan

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #9: The silence of Marcel Duchamp is overrated

Art Movement: Neo Dada

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Brightly-Lit Stag Chair, Joseph Beuys

1971 · Tate Modern, London · original 14 x 10 cm

Explore Joseph Beuys’ ‘Brightly-Lit Stag Chair’ – a minimalist abstraction in stark black & white. A key work by the influential Fluxus artist, embodying social sculpture and quiet contemplation.

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #10: Brightly-Lit Stag Chair

Art Movement: Contemporary Abstract
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17726 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Fat chair (1964) by Joseph Beuys

1964 · original 95 x 42 cm

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #11: Fat chair

Art Movement: Conceptual Art
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17732 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$26595 × 42 cm Commission at original size

Capri Battery, 1985, Joseph Beuys

1985 · The Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh · original 8 x 11 cm

Joseph Beuys' 'Capri Battery' (1985) is a striking sculpture blending nature and technology – a lemon powering a light bulb, symbolizing ecological balance & human potential.

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #12: Capri Battery

Art Movement: Fluxus
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17735 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Golden sculpture

Bavarian State Painting Collections, Munich · original 14.6 x 20.6cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17739 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Yeah, Let’s Stop This Shit Now – Joseph Beuys

1979 · original 47 x 38 cm

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #14: Yeah, Let’s Stop This Shit Now

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$20038 × 47 cm Commission at original size

Joseph Beuys: Halbiertes Filzkreuz mit Staubbild 'Magda', -

1965

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #15: Halbiertes Filzkreuz mit Staubbild 'Magda', -

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17725 × 40 cm Commission this artwork

Actresses, Joseph Beuys

1958 · Tate Modern, London · original 21 x 29 cm

Explore Joseph Beuys' 'Actresses,' a poignant graphite drawing capturing two figures in movement. This preparatory sketch reveals his expressive style and explores themes of performance & humanity.

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #16: Actresses

Art Movement: Neo-Dada
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17738 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Witches Spitting Fire (1959)

1959 · original 20 x 29 cm

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #17: Witches Spitting Fire

Art Movement: Neo-Dada
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17738 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

The Pack (1969)

1969

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #18: The Pack

Art Movement: Conceptual Art

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Bug der Argo, Joseph Beuys

1952

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #19: Bug der Argo

Art Movement: Neo-Dada
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17721 × 48 cm Commission this artwork

Terremoto (1981) by Joseph Beuys

1981 · original 349 x 490 cm

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #20: Terremoto

Art Movement: Conceptual Art
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17732 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Hearts of the Revolutionaries: Passage of the Planets of the Future by Joseph Beuys, 1955

1955 · Tate Modern, London · original 30 x 49 cm

Experience 'Hearts of the Revolutionaries' by Joseph Beuys – a striking 1955 painting featuring bold circles & symbolic design. Explore Fluxus art & social sculpture. Hand-painted reproduction available.

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #21: Hearts of the Revolutionaries: Passage of the Planets of the Future

Art Movement: Other
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17741 × 25 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19149 × 30 cm Commission at original size

Joseph Beuys: Natural History

1982 · original 33 x 36 cm

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #22: Natural History

Art Movement: Neo-Dada
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17733 × 30 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$18336 × 33 cm Commission at original size

How to Explain Pictures to a Dead Hare

Art Movement: Conceptual Art

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Infiltration for Piano (1966) by Joseph Beuys

1966 · original 152 x 240 cm

Explore Joseph Beuys’ ‘Infiltration for Piano,’ a surreal wool-covered piano sculpture. A powerful assemblage piece blending social critique & unsettling beauty – a unique art investment.

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #24: Infiltration for Piano

Art Movement: Surrealism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17739 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1206240 × 152 cm Commission at original size

Sauerkraut Score (1969)

1969 · original 32 x 140 cm

View the most popular artwork of Joseph Beuys ranked #25: Sauerkraut Score

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 33 artworks by Joseph Beuys
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17739 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$280140 × 32 cm Commission at original size

The artist

Joseph Beuys

1921 – 1986

Quick facts

Died1986
NationalityGermany
Emotional tonereflective
Color intensitymonochromatic, balanced
Top 3 worksHalved Felt Cross with Dust Image "Magda", Lightning with Stag in Its Glare, Seminar with Joseph Beuys
Topics exploredsocial commentary
Works on APS33
Room fitliving room

Biography

A Life Sculpted in Society

Joseph Beuys, a name synonymous with the expansion of artistic boundaries, was more than just an artist; he was a visionary who believed creativity held the key to societal transformation. Born in Krefeld, Germany, in 1921, his life unfolded against a backdrop of immense political and social upheaval, profoundly shaping his artistic philosophy. From a childhood marked by relocation and early exposure to both natural sciences and the burgeoning darkness of Nazism—an event crystallized by rescuing Carl Linnaeus’s *Systema Naturae* from a book burning—Beuys developed a sensitivity to the fragility of existence and the power of symbolic action. His formative years were steeped in an intellectual curiosity that spanned music, mythology, and history, laying the groundwork for his later multidisciplinary approach. Though briefly involved with the Hitler Youth as a teenager – a common experience for German youth at the time – Beuys’s trajectory would ultimately lead him to challenge established norms and advocate for radical social change through art.

The Crucible of War and the Birth of an Iconography

World War II proved a pivotal, almost mythic, turning point in Beuys's life. Volunteering for the Luftwaffe in 1941, he experienced a near-fatal plane crash in Crimea in 1944. The story that emerged from this event—his rescue by Tatar tribesmen who wrapped his broken body in felt and fat to preserve warmth and aid healing—became central to his artistic identity. While historical accounts dispute the details of this narrative, Beuys embraced it as a foundational myth, imbuing these materials with profound symbolic weight. Felt, representing protection, insulation, and connection to nature; and fat, symbolizing energy, healing, and transformation—these became recurring motifs in his work, acting as potent metaphors for the human condition and the potential for renewal. Following the war, Beuys formally studied sculpture at the Düsseldorf Academy of Fine Arts, but it was his engagement with anthroposophy, the spiritual philosophy developed by Rudolf Steiner, that truly ignited his artistic vision.

Social Sculpture: Art as a Revolutionary Force

Beuys’s most significant contribution to art history is arguably his concept of “Social Sculpture” (*Soziale Plastik*). This wasn't merely about creating physical objects; it was a holistic vision where creativity played a vital role in shaping society and politics. He believed that every individual possessed creative potential, and that this potential could be unlocked through participation—blurring the lines between artist, artwork, and audience. Social Sculpture wasn’t confined to galleries or museums; it extended into everyday life, encompassing political activism, educational initiatives, and public performances. He envisioned a “Gesamtkunstwerk”—a total work of art—where all aspects of human existence could be creatively engaged to foster positive social change. This philosophy underpinned his numerous actions, installations, and pedagogical endeavors, challenging the traditional role of the artist as a solitary creator and positioning them instead as a catalyst for collective transformation.

Performance, Materials, and Political Engagement

Beuys’s artistic practice was remarkably diverse, encompassing performance art, installations, drawings, sculptures, and political activism. His performances were often ritualistic, involving direct engagement with the public and unconventional materials. Iconic works like his felt suits, which he wore during numerous actions, symbolized warmth, protection, and a primal connection to nature. Fat Installations explored themes of energy, healing, and transformation, while performances such as “I Like to Learn” (1965), where he sat in a gallery window with stones and honey inviting dialogue, emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing and open communication. Sculptures like “Lightning with Stag in Its Glare” represented primal forces and human consciousness. Beyond his artistic creations, Beuys actively participated in political debates, founding the Free International Zone (FIZ) at documenta 7—a space for artistic experimentation and social dialogue—and becoming a vocal supporter of the German Green Party.

A Lasting Legacy

Joseph Beuys died in 1986, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire artists, activists, and thinkers today. He radically challenged conventional notions of creativity and authorship, emphasizing participation and social engagement. His work expanded the definition of art beyond aesthetic concerns to encompass political, environmental, and spiritual dimensions. His concept of Social Sculpture remains profoundly relevant, urging us to recognize the creative potential within ourselves and to actively participate in shaping a more just and sustainable future. Beuys wasn’t simply an artist; he was a prophet of possibility, reminding us that art has the power not only to reflect society but also to transform it.

Questions & Answers

Which artworks by Joseph Beuys are the most viewed?

The Stats page of Joseph Beuys presents statistics computed from the artist's artworks listed on this website.

How do I find works by Joseph Beuys on a specific theme?

Joseph Beuys's works can be explored by keyword on the artist's By Keywords page. Each keyword groups the related artworks.

Where are Joseph Beuys's artworks organized by color?

The Spectral Index page organizes Joseph Beuys's artworks by color.

By the WikiOO.org Editorial Team Updated Oct. 20, 2026

Collector's quiz

What is Joseph Beuys's concept of 'Social Sculpture'?
What materials became central to Beuys’s artistic identity, partly inspired by a myth surrounding his wartime experience?
Which philosophical movement significantly influenced Beuys’s worldview and artistic approach?
Beuys was a professor at which institution from 1961 to 1972?
What political party was Joseph Beuys a founding member and lifelong supporter of?

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