Anselm Kiefer - A master from Germany? The librarian, yes, prophet of lead? Or a friend of lightness, of poppies and roses? Painter and sculptor of barbarism? Missionary of transience? Admiral of leaden fleets and squadrons? Traveler through all worlds? Oh, with how many names has this man from Donaueschingen in Baden been considered during the years of his growing fame, his worldwide fame in the end, with how many honors, slanders, and always new names? Christoph Ransmayr followed an invitation from Kiefer in late summer 2000 and visited him at La Ribaute, a former silk factory transformed into a bastion and glass colony of art in the south of France. Ransmayr rediscovered many of the old names at La Ribaute, forgotten, long set aside - and on a night.