Revolution of Image

French painters revolutionize Europe

The French Revolution marked a turning point in history. It stood for freedom of thought, equality and brotherhood for all people. It opened up free spaces for creativity in both society and art. Throughout the year, these free spaces will be our leitmotif. They can be experienced in all their diverse facets on every level of the Arp Museum.

Approximately 250 years separate the works of Nicolas Poussin and Claude Monet. During this period, French painting set the standard for all of Europe. The exhibition spans an arc from the monumental historical paintings of the absolutist Baroque era to the evanescent light effects of the Impressionists, who introduced modern art.

The outstanding collection of French paintings from the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin enters into an exciting dialogue with the French paintings from the Rau Collection for UNICEF. Approximately 50 works, including highlights from Poussin and Monet, as well as paintings by Fragonard, Chardin, Renoir, Van Gogh, Cézanne, and many others demonstrate the revolution of image. The idea for the exhibition was developed in close cooperation with the Bucerius Kunst Forum in Hamburg, where it will be presented from 10 October 2015 to 17 January 2016 under the title »From Poussin to Monet: The Colors of France.«