Peter HERRMANN - Ludwig Museum Cologne x National Art Center Tokyo

Bermel von Luxburg Gallery is delighted to announce that the artwork Lot (Burning Dresden, 1987) by the German artist PETER HERRMANN from the collection of the Ludwig Museum Cologne is currently on show at the exhibition Museum Ludwig Cologne - History of a collection with civic comments in the National Art Center in Tokyo, Japan.

The exhibition runs from the 29th of June until the 26th of September 2022.

Museum Ludwig, overseen by the City of Cologne, Germany’s fourth most populous city, is one of the world’s leading institutions with a specialty in art from the 20th century to the contemporary era. The museum’s outstanding collection was shaped by donations from citizens. This exhibition, which focuses on collectors such as Peter and Irene Ludwig, whose name graces the museum, presents 152 notable works, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, and videos by artists associated with German Expressionism and Neue Sachlichkeit as well as Picasso, the Russian avant-garde, and Pop art.

The Ludwig Museum opened in 1986 next to Cologne Cathedral along the Rhine. Its origins go back to 1976, when noted art collectors Peter and Irene Ludwig donated some 350 works of art to the city. The core collection was completed with the transfer of post-1900 works from the municipally operated Wallraf-Richartz Museum, including a German modernism collection donated by Cologne lawyer Josef Haubrich in 1946.

Today, it is internationally acclaimed for holdings that encompass: one of Europe’s largest Pop Art collections; Expressionism, Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity), and other forms of German modern art, as well as contemporaneous Russian Avant-garde; one of the world’s top three Picasso collections; a photo collection that spans the history of photography and excels both in quality and quantity; and contemporary works around the globe.

Highlights Collectors who paid for the future

The Museum Ludwig’s collection was largely built up by donations and purchases from private local collectors. These citizens’ devotion to preserving art and culture for future generations has always been at the heart of the museum’s holdings and activities. Such inseparable bonds between art and the community offer great inspiration and ideas for people living in Japan today.

A journey across art history: 100 years of diverse expressions The exhibition offers a rich panorama of avant-garde, abstract, and other realms of expression from the early 20th century to today—including German Expressionism, Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity), Cubism, Russian Avant-garde, Bauhaus, Surrealism, Picasso, and Pop Art. Each chapter also presents samplings from the museum’s photography collection that provide a vivid window to the spirit and psyche of contemporary society. Another must-see highlight is the array of dazzling expressions created by female artists.

The pulse of each era, encapsulated in 152 masterpieces

Following the 20th century’s two world wars, post-conflict reconstruction, and national reunification, Germany emerged to become one of Europe’s greatest powerhouses today. This exhibition provides both a lesson in history through the lens of art, and a look at art in its historical context. The 152 masterpieces displayed will provide thought-inspiring encounters with humans and society.

For more information: https://www.nact.jp/english/exhibitions/2022/ludw