Preview

August Macke died only a few weeks after the outbreak of the first world war. Despite his short life, he left behind a remarkable oeuvre of 600 paintings, thousands of works on paper, sculptures, and handicrafts. Alongside his profuse output, he undertook extensive travel and was an active networker. His early death at age 27 links Macke to a whole list of figures from pop culture who have attained almost legendary status as members of the so-called “27 Club.” Their common feature is that they brought forth pathfinding achievements in the course of their brief lives, almost as if they had anticipated death at an early age.

The exhibition traces the myth of artists who have died young and, starting with August Macke, looks at a range of biographies describing icons of musical, artistic, and literary history: Georg Trakl, Paul Adolf Seehaus, Dash Snow, Gerda Taro, Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, and many more. On view are paintings, photos, sculptures, historic documents, record covers, posters, and personal objects, among which are, in particular, the artists’ final works, such as August Macke’s painting Abschied (Farewell), which he left on the easel in his studio. In addition, current artworks and an inter-active “join-in” room invite visitors to consider the question of what might have been if these artists had lived longer.

The exhibition has been supported by the Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne an the IVG-Stiftung. A bi-lingual (German/English) catalogue accompanying the show will discuss the topic from various perspectives.

Save the date: Opening on Wednesday, 24 February 2027, 7 p.m.