Visionen der Moderne – August Macke und Max Ernst

In the organizer's words:

April 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Max Ernst (1891-1976). Following on from this, the exhibition focuses on the visionary artistic beginnings of the internationally renowned Dadaist and Surrealist in the circle of Rhenish Expressionism and sheds light on his close relationship with August Macke.

Max Ernst was a regular guest in Macke's Bonn residence and exhibited for the first time in 1913 in the exhibition of Rhenish Expressionists organized by August Macke. Connections such as the two artists' shared fascination with past art movements, the pictorial wit that united them and their links to Bonn are addressed, as are their biographically disparate development as a result of the incisive events of the First World War. August Macke's almost 85 years of life and 70 years of creativity are contrasted with his 27 years of life and his equally rich oeuvre.

Around 80 works will be presented, including paintings, prints, sketches, sculptures, photographs and contemporary documents. A special focus is placed on the women Luise Straus and Elisabeth Gerhardt as central figures in the artists' work.