Making Modernism : Paula Modersohn-Becker, Käthe Kollwitz, Gabriele Münter and Marianne Werefkin

Colourful and fascinating exhibition at the Royal Academy of work by a selection of female German and Russian Modernist artists.

I only knew two of these artists before a talk I did by the curator before I went to the show, Munter and Kollwitz but found their art, lives and connections fascinating. I couldn’t help but compare their work to early pieces by Vanessa Bell which could easily have fit in here.

I loved the colour and blocky presentation of the pictures. I think my favourite was one by Munter off her flat/studio with a wonderful striped rug drawing your eye across it and her husband or Kandinsky in the bedroom to one side. I was less fond of Werefkin’s work but she was only really represented by paintings when she was mainly known as a sculptor.

I learnt about lots of new people and stories which I will look out for in the future.

Closes 12 February 2023


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