Our exhibition will look at the various artistic movements that have shaped the visual arts in Germany, from Impressionism through to Photo-Realism.
Twentieth century art in Germany has long been dominated by the influence of German Expressionism. However, perhaps surprising for many, is the fact that each of the artistic movements explored by artists in the German-speaking lands focus, analyse and consider the contemporary Zeitgeist, whilst innovating the mode of expression from previous decades. With a particularly strong focus on the diverse works by leading German Expressionist artists. The exhibition will be explored through a variety of themes and key motifs which arise from the artistic movements. It will begin with German Impressionism, considering works by Lesser Ury and Lovis Corinth before moving through to Käthe Kollwitz’s hauntingly realistic and expressive works. German Expressionism is showcased through the rendering of the female nude as muse, the rediscovery of the rural landscape as a source of escape from the newly urbanised society and finally the energetic lure of the city and the theatre. The division of Germany, its reconstruction and reimagining can be found in the Post-War works of Gerhard Richter, Günther Uecker, Christo and Georg Baselitz. It is a diverse lens with which to consider the art of Germany and the country’s role in defining artistic movements both domestically and internationally