Starting from 30 March 2025, the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas will unveil the engaging exhibition “Modern Art and Politics in Germany 1910–1945,” showcasing over 70 masterpieces from the renowned Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin. For the majority of these artworks, this marks their debut tour in the United States, with future destinations including the Albuquerque Museum in New Mexico, followed by the Minneapolis Museum of Art in Minnesota. More stops will be revealed soon.
This exhibition is specifically designed for American audiences, exploring the intricate history of modern art in Germany and its entwinement with socio-political movements. The Neue Nationalgalerie, located in Berlin, has a collection deeply influenced by the turbulent history it has witnessed: from the German Empire to World War Two, all reflected in its captivating paintings and sculptures.
“Modern Art and Politics in Germany 1910–1945” continues the rich tradition of past exhibitions from the Neue Nationalgalerie, such as “Modern Times” and “The Art of Society,” which all addressed the art-political nexus. This current exhibition places a spotlight on the artwork created during the Nazi regime from 1933 to 1945, where artists, despite severe repression, persevered in their creations, either secretly at home or from exile.
Among the 70+ featured pieces are prominent works like George Grosz’s “Stützen der Gesellschaft” (Pillars of Society, 1926) and Horst Strempel’s “Nacht über Deutschland” (Night over Germany, 1945-46). The exhibition fosters a dialogue between German artists such as Käthe Kollwitz and international figures like Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí, presenting styles ranging from Expressionism to abstraction, addressing the intricate relationship between art and politics during that era.
Organised by the Neue Nationalgalerie in partnership with the Kimbell Art Museum, the exhibition comes with an accompanying catalogue. Curators Irina Hiebert Grun, George T. M. Shackelford, and others have meticulously crafted this narrative, ensuring a profound audience experience that instills historical awareness and appreciation of the resilience of modern art.
The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, will host “Modern Art and Politics in Germany 1910–1945” from 30 March 2025. Featuring over 70 works from the Neue Nationalgalerie, the exhibition explores the impact of socio-political developments on art in Germany. Stops include the Albuquerque Museum and the Minneapolis Museum of Art, aiming to highlight the resilience of artists during the Nazi regime.
In conclusion, the upcoming exhibition “Modern Art and Politics in Germany 1910–1945” at the Kimbell Art Museum will serve as a vivid exploration of how politics influenced modern art in Germany through the lens of the Neue Nationalgalerie’s impressive collection. It will allow American audiences to connect with artworks that reflect the historical turbulence and artistic resilience during the early to mid-20th century, paving the way for deeper understanding of the interactions between art and socio-political contexts. This promises to be an enlightening experience, as artists navigated treacherous political landscapes and created meaningful works amidst adversity.
Original Source: www.smb.museum
