Naturally flowing lines, ingeniously curved shapes and an exuberant wealth of floral, figurative and abstract ornamentation – these are the distinguishing characteristics of Art Nouveau, the French and Belgian version of „Jugendstil“. France and Belgium played a major role in the upheaval of European art and design around 1900, which paved the way for modernism. Paris in particular exerted an enormous magnetic attraction: Architects such as Hector Guimard and Eugène Gaillard worked here; poster designers such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Alfons Mucha revolutionized graphic design.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Bröhan-Museum, this extensive exhibition is dedicated to one of the museum’s focal points – French and Belgian Art Nouveau. With great playfulness and especially floral ornamentation, the Art Nouveau artists in cities such as Brussels, Paris and Nancy created a new design for the Belle Epoque, which soon captivated the whole of Europe. With outstanding pieces from national and international private collections, the Bröhan-Museum is bringing the glory of this era back to life. Some of the items on loan are being shown to the public for the first time.

Curator: Dr. Anna Grosskopf
Exhibition design: Katleen Arthen

Advertising motif: Privat Livemont, Plakat „Absinth Robette“, 1896 (Detail), Paul und Diana Tauchner. Design: Gerwin Schmidt, 2023

EXHIBITION PROGRAM

Free public guided tours (plus museum admission)
every Sunday, 3 pm, registration not required (every first Sunday of the month the guided tour takes place at 11 am)
every Friday, 4 pm, registration not required (from Fri., 23.02.2024)

Themed tour The Bat in Art Nouveau
Free guided tour (plus museum admission), Wed, 08.05. and Wed, 05.06., both at 16:30, Dr. Anna Grosskopf and Prof. Dr. Angelika Ruge will guide you through the exhibition. Registration not required.

Digital themed tour The Bat in Art Nouveau
On June 10, 6 p.m., a live tour will take place on Instagram @broehan-museum. Dr. Anna Grosskopf and Prof. Dr. Angelika Ruge will guide you through the exhibition.

Discovery booklet
The free discovery booklet accompanies children (6-12 years) and families on a tour of the exhibition.

Program for school classes
We offer programs for school classes as part of the exhibition. Further information here

Free “Family Sundays”
every 3rd Sunday of the month, 11 a.m., for children (5-12 years) and their families, 90 min.
Limited number of participants. Registration required at: vermittlung@broehan-museum.de, Tel: 030/32690625