In January 1973, four artists came together in Berlin to form the School of New Magnificence, which was dedicated to a traditionally realistic, figurative style with some surrealist tendencies. The name of the artists' association, perceived as "lyrical and catchy", was chosen by the members themselves and they wanted to be considered a school in reference to the philosophical School of Athens. The essential characteristics of the group are the rejection of abstraction, the critical examination of art history, as well as humorous references and partly satirically exaggerated motifs, with the aim of evoking a smile in the viewer.
