Peter Robert Keil - James Dean

*The last living big Artist*
Peter Robert Keil is one of the best-known and finest contemporary painters and sculptors in Germany. Keil is famous for his bold and beautiful paintings that capture the essence of life. His works can be found all over the world in museums, galleries, and also in private collections of the wealthy and well-known. Peter Robert Keil painted alongside giants such as Joan Miro, Picasso, Andy Warhol, Basquiat, as well as other artists and is therefore often hailed as *The last living big Artist*.
Original and new works (originals) of the artist are hardly affordable on the world market anymore.

Very beautiful, exceptional portrait of James Dean. Studio Berlin 00, a great decorative collector’s item.

Dimensions without frame H: 50 cm x W: 40 cm

Original artwork on canvas by the artist Peter Robert Keil with certificate of authenticity and gallery stamp.

The colors in the images may slightly differ (e.g., due to light reflections).

Oil/Acrylic mixed media on canvas.

Shipping is worldwide and insured.

Artwork description

With this expressive portrait, Peter Robert Keil pays homage to one of the greatest icons of the 20th century: James Dean – a symbol of rebellion, youthfulness, and timeless coolness.

Keil transforms the actor’s famous face into an explosive composition of intense color fields, dynamic brushwork, and emotional tension. Bright red, deep green, vivid blue, and black contours merge into a portrait full of energy and immediacy.

The exaggerated eyes and the asymmetrical facial structure are especially impressive, giving the work psychological depth. The expressive distortion recalls the raw directness of neo-expressionism and gives James Dean a nearly mythical presence.

The light, almost sketch-like background enhances the dominance of the face and focuses attention entirely on expression, gaze, and emotion. At the same time, a fascinating dialogue emerges between spontaneous painting and iconic pop culture.

A typical Keil work: powerful, emotional, and immediate – between Berlin Expressionism and New York pop energy.

The composition exudes joie de vivre, directness, and artistic immediacy – a homage to color itself and an optimistic statement for any collection.

His artistically gifted mother fought to move with her son to West Berlin during the final phase of the war, where the two settled after the war. There Keil grew up in the working-class district of Berlin-Wedding and soon discovered his interest in painting – especially in expressionist artists and the works of Pablo Picasso. The painter Otto Nagel, who came from East Berlin, became his mentor from around 1954 and taught him his first craft skills and painting techniques.

1962: First solo exhibition at Art Gallery, London
1964: Galerie Rotebro, Sweden
1965: Great Berlin Art Exhibition
1966: Great Berlin Art Exhibition
1980: Galerie Dr. Friedmann, Israel
1985: Galerie Wewerka, Berlin
1986–1990: Free Berlin Art Exhibition, Messehallen, Berlin
1993: Carousel Gallery, Dania, Florida, USA
1998: Aventura Art Gallery, Aventura, Florida, USA
1999: Galerie Höckner, Salzburg, Austria
2000: Exhibitions in Paris, Amsterdam, London
2001–2005: Intercontinental Hotel Berlin
2002: International Art Fair, Frankfurt
2003: Sixty Years of Peter Robert Keil, Galerie Kunstsinn, Nuremberg
2005: Galerie Boxsler, Lichtenfels
2006: Public Library, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
2007: Villa Meixner, Collection of KulturForum Europa, Brühl/Baden
2007: Kessler Corporation, Orlando Florida, Savannah, Georgia, USA
2008: The Hurn Museum, Savannah, USA
2010: Keil-Collection Heidelberg, Lange Nacht der Museen, Heidelberg
2010: Edna Hibel Fine Art Gallery, West Palm Beach, Florida
2011: Keil-Collection Heidelberg, Lange Nacht der Museen, Heidelberg
2012: Retrospective “Life in a Color Frenzy”, Schwetzingen Castle, Orangery
2012: Keil ArtCollection Marburg, Night of Art, Marburg
2012: "Ladies Night at Paris Bar", Keil ArtCollection Marburg, Marburg City Festival
2012: „Teufelswerk“, Staatliche Majolika Manufaktur Karlsruhe
2013: Aufbruch – Jüngste Werke aus der Heidelberger Phase, Alte Feuerwache Heidelberg
2014: Current works, Berlin, Temporary Gallery Potsdamer Straße
2014: New Keil works, Keil Collection Heidelberg, Heidelberg
2014/2015: Peter Robert Keil visiting Heidelberg Town Hall, Heidelberg Town Hall
2015: "Verleden, heden, toekomst", Waaggebouw Arnhem
2015: Peter Robert Keil visiting the Romanesque Cellar, Romanischer Keller Heidelberg
2015: Peter Robert Keil visiting the Old Pool, Altes Hallenbad Heidelberg
2015: "P.R. Keil – the latest brand", Staatliche Majolika Manufaktur Karlsruhe
2015: Exhibition in the museum room in Wolfsbrunnen, Wolfsbrunnen Heidelberg
2016: art Karlsruhe 2016, Karlsruhe
2016: ART.FAIR, Cologne
2016: Affordable Art Fair 2016, Hamburg
2016: Peter Robert Keil visiting Galerie P13, Heidelberg
2017: art Karlsruhe 2017 - one artist show, Karlsruhe
2017: Solo exhibition New Jersey, USA
2017: Red Art Salon, Museum Villa Rot, Burgrieden
2017: Affordable Art Fair 2017, Hamburg
2017: Studio exhibition Banyalbufar, Mallorca
2017: Solo exhibition "Life in the Color Frenzy 2", Heidelberg Castle
2018: art Karlsruhe 2018 - one artist show, Karlsruhe
2018 Affordable Art Fair Hamburg / Affordable Art Fair Brussels
2019 art Karlsruhe, Galerie P 13
2019 Affordable Art Fair Hamburg / Affordable Art Fair Brussels
2021 Visiting residency at Xylon Museum Schwetzingen
2022 Artist-in-residence Xylon Museum Schwetzingen
2022 Studio exhibition Xylon Museum Schwetzingen
2022 "I color - a painter says I" - anniversary exhibition at Heidelberg Castle