Der Künstler als 'Magier' und 'Alchemist' im Spannungsfeld von Produktion und Rezeption. Aspekte der Auseinandersetzung mit okkulten Traditionen in der europäischen Kunstgeschichte nach 1945. Eine vergleichende Fokusstudie ausgehend von Joseph Beuys

The presented Phil. Diss. (Ph. D.) thesis follows the traces of a traditional "image of the artist" in late 20th century art and art history that can be found in art criticism, scientific literature and popular media as well as in the self-staging of contemporary artists. The main focus is laid on the relationship between the image of the artist as 'magician' and 'alchemist' and artistic references to esoteric traditions, including their modern heritage (alchemy, magic, free-masonry, roscicrucianism, spiritualism and occultism, as well as related aspects of anthroposophy). Critical studies are being combined with source oriented research. Main chapters are devoted to Joseph Beuys, Anselm Kiefer, Sigmar Polke, and Rebecca Horn.