FRANZ RADZIWILL AND BREMEN   22.03. – 09.07.2017

Franz Radziwill and Bremen

In the history of 20th century German art, Franz Radziwill (1895-1983) is considered to be a lone wolf. His work is highly distinctive. This exhibition will explore for the first time his relationship to the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen: he spent the formative years of his childhood and youth in Bremen, a fact that left its mark throughout his entire œuvre.

From Expressionism to Magic Realism
During his lifetime, Radziwill captured on paper and canvas typical places, distinctive buildings and important events of his native city. With around forty works dating from 1910 to 1960 the exhibition traces his development from early Expressionist works and masterpieces of New Objectivity and Magic Realism to the fantastical inventions of his mature œuvre. At the same time, the show provides an exciting look at the history of Bremen – with depictions of the Walle water tower, the gasometer with the red and white pattern of the Bremen flag, and the Bremen express steam boat as symbols of Hanseatic success.

Radziwill and the Kunsthalle
Even as a young man Radziwill had contact with the Kunsthalle Bremen, exhibiting there in 1919. In a final act, he cemented his relationship to the museum by donating a painting in 1982.

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