text: This altarpiece, which took Ernst Fuchs over twenty years to complete, brings together many of the styles and 'ways of seeing' which he passed through over those years. The figure of Christ (a self-portrait) reflects his Netherlandish style from the early 60's. Meanwhile, the jewel formations in the crown and wings represent a later development from his Cherub paintings in the early 70's. The two-headed eagle behind him has the 'massive' stone quality of many works from the late 70's, while the bands of yellow and purple in the background come from his Feuerfuchs period.
  In June of 2001, I had the opportunity to interview Ernst Fuchs on a number of topics - his sources and inspirations, his rediscovery of the Mischtechnik, his project for a museum of Visionary Art.
  We sat in the studio of his villa near Monaco - myself near the fireplace; he, infront of his large Triumph of the Unicorn painting. During the entire interview, he painted one of the figures, effortlessly achieving some truly visionary effects.
  VR - Where does the inspiration for your work come from? What is the driving force behind the creation of a work?