The Pope Appears Severely Depressed (2023) Drawing by Cäcilie Von Manal

Cäcilie von Manal is a student of the Chinese-German artist Qi Yang who lives in Düsseldorf and works in his nearby studio in Leverkusen at the historical Reuschenberg Mill, at the same time having a base in Shanghai. Von Manal's artwork centers on characters that belong to her outer or inner world. Some projects are inspired by personal relationships such as family and friends, others by street or Café scenes. Oftentimes, figures from public life enter the world of Von Manal's art. And as a devotee of the famous British artist Francis Bacon (1909-1992), a considerable part of her artwork is inspired by Bacon's "Screaming Pope" theme, and beyond.

Cäcilie von Manal's artworks leap at the viewer on a direct, almost instinctive basis. Her approach is experimental and playful, which the casual observer may take as wonky, amateurish or fragmentary. It is of course Cäcilie's handwriting, her work being all about truthfulness and authenticity, as she defies whatever expectations there might be on aesthetics. This said, Cäcilie von Manal is recognized for creating figures who in all their wonkiness come across full of soul, power and humaneness that allow them to uphold their dignity.

Cäcilie von Manal masters a broad repertoire of techniques. She works on canvas and papers, oftentimes with spatulas. Her media are oil and acrylics, water color and ink, as well as self-made tempera and casein. In her drawings the prefers graphites, charcoal and pastels. Cäcilie also likes to experiment with monotypes. 

• Nationality: GERMANY
• Date of birth : 1956
• Artistic domains: Works by professional artists,
• Groups: Professional Artist Contemporary German Artists