Karlsruhe: Cézanne. Metamorphosis Exhibition in Kunsthalle
An incredible cultural event in Baden-Württemberg this autumn is an exhibition held by the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, the Cézanne – Metamorphoses. This exhibition, dedicated to the painter Paul Cézanne (1839–1906) continues the series of internationally-acclaimed exhibitions organised by the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe of French art featuring artists such as Fragonard, Delacroix, Corot, and Degas.
The exhibition «Cézanne. Metamorphoses» aims to offer a fresh look at Cézanne works. Finally seen as one of the pioneers of modern art, Paul Cézanne defended his own visual approach of an abstract transformation of nature to colourful elements while he was alive. He also attempted to revive painting based on classical tradition.
Paul Cézanne produced various works as a painter, draughtsman, and watercolourist. Organised by themes rather than chronologically, the exhibition covers fundamental topics in Cézanne’s work. The exposition flows from landscape to portraits, from barthers to still lifes, exposing visitors to the unique universe of the artist, and reflects the idea of cross connection and assotiations between his works.
The whole exhibition seems to be an invitation to discover an artistic approach and evolution of Cézanne’s style. The main intent is to follow principal ideas, reflected in artistic oeuvres such as transforming, metamorphoses, ambiguity, and ambivalence. The principal sources of inspiration for Cézanne was the nature and the classical art. The artist copied and transformed them according to his own vision, most clearly expressed in emulated details, structural similarities, ambivalent plasticity, transmutation of textures, anthropomorphism of diffuse perceptual images.
An in-depth and perfectly illustrated catalogue edited by the exhibition’s curators Alexander Eiling and Pia Müller-Tamm (Prestel) unites essays by various talanted authors. Available in German and English, this catalogue is a valuable art book to keep as a souvenir.
The exhibition runs from 28. October 2017 to 11. February 2018 in Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, Hans-Thomas-Straße 2-6, 76133 Karlsruhe.
The exhibition is the result of intense cooperation, that permitted loans from international private collections and following museums: Dallas Museum of Art, Musée d’Orsay (Paris), J. Paul Getty Museum (Los Angeles), Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza (Madrid), National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa), Pushkin Museum (Moscow), Museu de Arte (São Paulo), Metropolitan Museum and Museum of Modern Art (New York).
