The exhibition Biographies of Modern Art: Collectors and Their Works presents eight Jewish collectors whose artworks are now in the Brücke-Museum ‒ art historian Rosa Schapire, art critic Max Osborn, the collector Rosy Fischer, the salonnière Elsa Glaser, economist Hans Heymann and his brother, the writer Walther Heymann, the “jack-of-all-trades” Hugo Simon and art dealer Victor Wallerstein. Each of these individuals was committed to supporting and promoting the Brücke artists.
Provenance research provided the starting point for this show. Since 2018, the Brücke-Museum has been re-examining its collection. One main objective is to identify works of art looted by the National Socialists. Even though provenance research primarily investigates the origin and background of the artworks, it also reveals a great deal about the former owners.
Biographies of Modern Art offers insights into the featured collectors’ biographies, work and networks. The exhibition wishes to remember and honour these individuals because their names are now nearly forgotten. At the same time, it pays tribute to the contributions that Rosy Fischer, Max Osborn, Elsa Glaser, Hans and Walther Heymann, Rosa Schapire, Hugo Simon and Victor Wallerstein made to Modern Art and to recognises the injustices done to them under National Socialist regime.
The artist Sophie von Hellermann is creating a new mural for the exhibition that offers a contemporary approach.
