Exhibition

Patterns and Modernism. Art of the 20s from the Zuschlag-Wieneke collection

12 January - 18 June 2023

Lines, circles and squares – geometric shapes influenced 1920s art and design equally. Constructivism liberated the image from the object and, at the same time, created an aesthetic trend. This can be seen particularly clearly in the ceramic design of the Weimar Republic (1919-33): vases, tea pots and cake plates with geometric decors brought the avant-garde into everyday life and are to this day highly coveted collectibles.

Fritz Zuschlag and Bodo Wieneke-Zuschlag have been researching abstraction in art and design for 50 years. With plenty of passion and expertise, the Cologne-based couple has been putting together a collection that illuminates the various facets of the artistic work of the 1920s.

After an intense focus on ceramics in the 1980s and 90s, they increasingly turned to the fine arts, especially Bauhaus and German Constructivism. However, the collection also includes figurative positions and even New Objectivity. A particular emphasis is on the art of the Cologne Progressives, which combines constructive and figurative tendencies with a strong political agenda. In 2022, the Bröhan-Museum and Zuschlag-Wieneke couple agreed to transfer the high-quality collection, which will be passing over into the property of the museum in the long term. The exhibition now offers a first insight into this extensive collection.

Exhibiton curator: Dr. Anna Grosskopf

A catalog accompanying the exhibition will be published by Kerber Verlag.

Advertising motif: Rheinsberger Steingutfabrik C.& E. Carstens, coffee pot, c. 1930 / Walter Dexel, 1924 II, 1924. Collection Fritz Zuschlag, Bodo Wieneke-Zuschlag, Cologne. Design: Gerwin Schmidt, 2022

EXHIBITION PROGRAM

Curator’s Tour

Sun, 15 Jan, at 4 pm. The tour is free, admission fee not included.

Family Sundays

Every third Sunday of the month, from 11 am until 12:30 pm. Limited number of participants.
Registration required at: n.mueller@broehan-museum.de

School Programs

We offer programs for school classes as part of the exhibition.
More information at  www.broehan-museum.de/vermittlung

Ménage à trois

One of our art experts guides you and one companion exclusively through the exhibition.
1 h, 55,- € (Tue–Fri), 70,- € (Sat/Sun/Holiday), plus admission fee.
Booking at info@broehan-museum.de or 030/32690600

Bröhan Late

After the museum closes, at 6 pm, one of our art experts will guide you and up to 19 companions through the exhibition. Price: 200,- € (Tue-Fri), 250,- € (Sat/Sun/Holiday), booking at info@broehan-museum.de or 030/32690600