The Art of Football

German Mega Star of Football Franz Beckenbauer portrayed by Swiss artist Annelies Štrba

Swiss photographer and video artist Annelies Štrba has recently made a portrait of Franz Beckenbauer, the German Mega Star of Football and Chief Organiser of this year's FIFA World Cup in Germany. The portrait has been published in the series "art football" and shows Beckenbauer in the early years of his staggering career. Štrba's work is based on a photography taken of Beckenbauer during the 1974 World Cup by Japanese photographer Masahide Tomikoshi. Back in 1974, Beckenbauer won the World Cup Trophy with the German Team. His effortless and at the same time audacious style soon also won Beckenbauer the reputation of playing "the art of football".

Annelies Štrba's portrait stands in line with Andy Warhol's Beckenbauer image of 1977. Štrba's so far unpublished work will for the first time be shown in an exhibition of football art the German Parliament during the World Cup starting in June.

Since 1990, Annelies Štrba has established a name for herself on an international level. Her works have been shown in exhibitions in Zurich, Paris, London, Milan, New York, Tokyo and Seoul. The Beckenbauer portrait has been issued as a limited edition signed by Franz Beckenbauer and Annelies Štrba. The revenues of the editions will go to the Franz Beckenbauer Foundation. The purpose of the Franz Beckenbauer Foundation is to provide financial and ideal aid to persons who are mentally or physically disabled or who have come in need guiltlessly. For more information, please visit www.beckenbauer-stiftung.de.

Annelies Štrba's Beckenbauer Portrait will be shown in the exhibition "Art and Football at the German Bundestag" from June 1 to July 10, 2006 at the Art Space of the German Bundestag, Marie-Elisabeth-Lueders-House, Schiffbauerdamm (opposite the Reichstag). Franz Beckenbauer will unveil the portrait at the exhibition opening on June 1. If you would like to receive an invitation to the opening, please send a mail to info@artfootball.de.

The Editions are available from:
Brands United GmbH
Kurfuerstendamm 115 b
D-10711 Berlin
Tel. +49 30 895 40 245
Fax +49 30 895 40 247
E-mail limitededition@artfootball.de