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Signed, the artist. Traces of the First World War in the Middelheim Museum collection

3 May until 14 September 2014

For many of the artist on both sides of the front line, the First World War interrupted their lives, cutting through them and their (early) careers, much like a blunt axe. The Middelheim Museum is putting these artists and their work in the spotlight again, with a temporary signposted walking trail.

The lives of many artists, on both sides of the front, was harshly interrupted by the First World War, which cut through their lives and (early) careers much like a blunt axe. Some were permanently scarred by this tragic war and went on to dedicate their entire oeuvre to it while others struggled to break from the rhetoric of aggression and suffering.

The Middelheim Museum has decided to put these artists and their work in the spotlight again with:

  • A tour by a museum guide focussing on “Conflict and violence as artistic inspiration/constriction
  • A temporary signposted walking trail through the museum park, from mid-July: free brochure in NL/EN.
  • A presentation of more fragile works in the Braem Pavilion. The sculptures of Käthe Kollwitz constitute a case study in this exhibition, and merit extra attention.

Word vriend van het museum