Museum Barberini, Potsdam: »Surrealism and Magic. Enchanted Modernity«
It's a Kind of Magic
Surrealism is not only associated with illusory worlds and dream fantasies by die-hard art connoisseurs. The Museum Barberini in Potsdam is now conjuring up the touch of magic that is just as inherent in the style, starting on October 22: In the exhibition Surrealism and Magic. Enchanted Modernity, visitors will recognize what is often overlooked.
Leonor Fini Ends of the Earth, 1949 Oil on canvas 35 x 28 cm
One could almost say that today's penchant for esotericism resembles Surrealism's interest in magic - the more modern the style seems today. After André Breton laid the foundation for what was then the leading avant-garde, followers from his circle cultivated a penchant for occult symbols, for portraits of magicians, seers, and alchemists. The exhibition Surrealism and Magic. Enchanted Modernism at the Museum Barberini in Potsdam, starting October 22, is now the first to explore this zeal for magic and myth.
The museum »spans from the metaphysical paintings of Giorgio de Chirico around 1915 to Max Ernst's iconic painting The Dressing of the Bride (1940) to the occult imagery in the late work of Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo.« For the exhibition, the museum borrowed true high-caliber works from Salvador Dalí to Dorothea Tanning from a total of 40 collections - including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The 90 works by more than 20 surrealists can be seen until January 29.
He was the wild one among the wild ones: As a Fauvist, Maurice de Vlaminck was a central figure of modernism. From February 16, the Von der Heydt-Museum in Wuppertal will be showing an overview of his work with over 50 paintings in Maurice de Vlaminck: Modern Art Rebel.
February 16, 2025
Paris, Salon Comparaisons 2025 with Igor Eugen Prokop
From February 18 to 22, the Grand Palais in Paris will host the important Salon Comparaisons, which presents a cross-section of the spectrum of art. The Hungarian artist Igor Eugen Prokop from the Art.Salon's artist program will be showing his work Evolution of a Scarecrow.