Preview

April 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Max Ernst (1891–1976). To mark that occasion, our exhibition looks at the visionary artistic beginnings of this internationally renowned Dada and Surrealist artist in the circle of Rhineland Expressionism, while also examining Ernst’s close connections to August Macke.

Max Ernst was a regular guest at Macke’s home in Bonn and exhibited his art for the first time in 1913 at the Exhibition of Rhineland Expressionists, organized by August Macke. Points of connection such as the two artists’ common fascination for past art movements, their shared pictorial humor, and their links to Bonn are themes of the show as are their disparate biographies as the result of the first world war. Nearly 85 years of Ernst’s living and 70 artistically productive years contrast with August Macke’s 27 years of living, albeit with no less prodigious artistic productivity.

The exhibition presents some 80 works, among which are paintings, graphics, sketches, sculptures, photographs, and contemporary documents. It will place a special focus on two women, Luise Straus and Elisabeth Gerhardt, as figures of central importance for the work of the artists.

A comprehensive bilingual catalogue (German/English) accompanies the show. The exhibition is supported by the Landschaftsverband Rheinland (LVR) and the Sparkassen-Kulturstiftung Rheinland.