The unique artwork “Einstein” by american street artist Mr. Brainwash is regarded as one of the main motives of him. It is hardly surprising that the artist chose this personality for his originals and unique pieces. The famous scientist Einstein was also known for his great sense of humor. Who doesn’t know the photo with the stretched out tongue? The “Tongue Picture” by Einstein was taken on the occasion of his 72nd birthday, on 14 March 1951 in Princeton. On this special day, Einstein was repeatedly harassed by photographers. After all, Einstein was a media star and journalists wanted to hear what the great physicist and Nobel Prize winner had to say about world politics.

But Einstein was repulsed by all the media hype. When he left the party after lunch, he could not escape the cameras. He had already taken a seat in the back of the limousine.

Frank Aydelotte was waiting on his left, his wife Marie on his right. Again and again Einstein said: “It’s enough, it’s enough…”, but the paparazzi didn’t let up. Fully aware of the consequences, he stuck his tongue out at the amazed photographer Arthur Sasse with his mischievous laugh. He pressed the shutter release and the photo was taken that would go around the world.

A little later he told his then secretary and lover, Johanna Fantova: “The outstretched tongue reflects my political views”. By this he meant specifically the situation in the America of McCarthy espionage and accusations. In the background of the work have been used as usual for Mr. Brainwash various stencils so the work give your unique character. The main motif with Einstein is always the same, as graffiti artists also transport your stencil from place to place to position your artwork on different walls. The background varies each time. Mr. Brainwash often features motifs from Keith Haring, Andy Warhol or the Marvel Comics. Often also one of Mr. Brainwash’s mottoes like “Life is Beautiful” or “Follow your dreams”. A few works feature Cement as the support material.

The motif of Einstein can also be found subtly on the wall as graffiti in the Mr. Brainwash Edition of the VW Beetle. On October 14th 2010, an Einstein by Mr. Brainwash was sold in London at the Contemporary Art Day Sale at Phillips in London at a selling price of £75,650. (105,000 USD).

Hardly any other street artist has experienced such a rapid rise as the Frenchman Thierry Guetta aka Mr. Brainwash, born in 1966 in Garges-lès-Gonesse. His path to becoming the most successful artist of recent years is closely linked to the name Banksy and his Oscar-winning film Exit Through the Gift Shop: In this documentary, the then unknown Mr. Brainwash is inspired to become active as an artist himself under the pseudonym Mr. Brainwash. The film received numerous prizes and awards. Many sold out shows and Mr. Brainwash exhibitions followed after the movie untill today. In 2023, the Mr. Brainwash Art Museum opened in Los Angeles. In winter 2023/2024, Mr. Brainwash artworks can be seen for the first time at Schloss Lebenberg in Kitzbuehel/Austria.