Jan Wiegers’ “Nude with parasol” is part of the exhibition, but does not really belong, as it was painted only in 1953
Impressive exhibition of German expressionism in the regional Museum De Fundatie, in Zwolle, The Netherlands, with all the big names – Macke, Kirchner, Pechstein – included
In Spring/Summer 2016 Museum De Fundatie organized a unique exhibition of expressionist paintings, under the title The Wild – Expressionism of the ‘Brucke’ and ‘Der Blaue Reiter’. About 100 works, some from the permanent collection of the museum, and many others from what looks like several small German museums, and from German galleries – . ie not something you would easily see all together -, have been brought together giving an overview of this exciting phase in art development. Big names are there, like Macke, Pechstein and Kirchner, but also several artists I had never heard of (which, by the way, not necessarily means a lot)
August Macke is firmly part of the expressionists; “Seated Nude with Cushion” (1911)
The exhibition is set up by theme, boats together, nudes together, portraits together etc., which I am not sure does the subject much good. Also, lightning is not always very good, especially in the smaller rooms. Nevertheless, the collection of paintings on display is really great – too many to show here, but just a small selection.
Kirchner was also, earlier in 2016, subject to a separate exhibition in The Netherlands, in the Singer Museum in Laren.
another Macke is the lovely “Promenade in blue and green” (ca. 1913)
well-represented is Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, here with “Boats on the Beach” (1922)
another boat scene is from Max Pechstein, “Returning Ships” (1919)
main proponent of the ‘Brucke’ was Ernst Ludwig Kirchner: “Village with Blue Roads” (1916-1920)
another Kirchner is “City Tower” (1911)
Russian exile Alexej von Jewlensky is also well-represented, this is “Girl with Red Bow” (1910)
and Kirchner again, “Portrait of Gerda” (1914)
not all is painting, this is chalk on paper, Macke’s “Meeting” (1913-1914)
and one of my favourites, Erich Heckel’s “Women bathing” (1914)
