Works by old masters like Dürer and Rembrandt, by modern artists like Toulouse-Lautrec, Edvard Munch and Picasso and by contemporary artists like Anselm Kiefer, Louise Bourgeois and Gerhard Richter have been brought together for the very first time.
Due to the diversity of museums participating the exhibition shows a rich collection of refined engravings, colourful aquarelles, pencil drawings, lithos, screen prints, photographs, etchings and monotypes, which are only rarely shown to the public as a result of their vulnerability.
The exhibition is clearly the high point of the Jahr der Grafik and has been composed especially for the Kunsthal.
Five Centuries of Art on Paper
Amongst the earliest works is a beautiful engraving by Dürer (ca. 1498), a woodcut by Michael Wolgemuth (1493) and a chalk drawing by Rembrandt from 1657.
Etchings by Emil Nolde and James Ensor and lithos by Odilon Redon and Maurice Denis illustrate the developments within international art around 1900.
Modern art from Germany from the period between 1900 and 1950 is presented at a central location within the pavilion with works by expressionists like Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Max Ernst, and by artists representing the so-called ‘Der Blaue Reiter' group, amongst whom Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc and August Macke.
Screen prints by Roy Lichtenstein and Joseph Beuys and drawings by Louise Bourgeois create an image of international contemporary art after 1946.
From the twenty-first century an illustrated diary by Erik van Lieshout is shown.
The works are put on display in a pavilion that was built exclusively for the exhibition in the day light hall of the Kunsthal.
Publication
To the exhibition a book with essays on the history of collecting art on paper and the important role that drawings play within art history is to appear. In this publication the fifty museums from Nordrhein-Westfalen make explanatory remarks on their graphic collection and its highlights (ISBN 978-3-941559-03-5, price €19,90).
About your visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Skip listThe Kunsthal is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00 hrs. The Kunsthal Café opens half an hour earlier, so you can visit from 9:30 hrs until half an hour after closing time. Check the current opening hours.
Yes, you need to book a ticket with a start time in advance. This also applies if you have a Museum card, Rotterdam pass, or VriendenLoterij VIP Card. This way, you are guaranteed admission and we can ensure that your visit is as pleasant as possible. Book your start time.
Yes, with an online ticket, you can visit all the exhibitions that are on display on the date of your visit. You can also stay as long as you like. You are welcome at the Kunsthal from your designated start time until closing time. Book your start time.
In de Kunsthal Rotterdam zijn altijd meerdere wisselende en contrastrijke tentoonstellingen tegelijk te zien. Een volledig overzicht van alle actuele tentoonstellingen vind je op de tentoonstellingspagina.