Max Pechstein Museum celebrates anniversary - collection grows

The Expressionists continue to captivate not only die-hard art connoisseurs with their vibrant colors. One of their most prominent representatives is the Zwickau-born painter Max Pechstein (1881-1955). His work has been preserved in its own museum there for ten years. With its constantly growing collection, it is in demand beyond the region when exhibitions on Pechstein or Expressionism are to be shown - as is currently the case in Wiesbaden.

Not only numerous new acquisitions from recent years are now being presented in Zwickau to mark the museum's 10th anniversary. Lectures, a film presentation, public tours and a hands-on activity for children are also on the program for the weekend. Some of Max Pechstein's descendants are also expected to attend the opening event on Friday evening.

The special thing about the collection and the museum's permanent exhibition is that all of the artist's creative phases are represented, said curator Annika Weise. The collection ranges from works from Pechstein's early youth to his last painting from 1953 and has been steadily expanded in recent years through acquisitions, donations and permanent loans. The most recent acquisitions include the early painting "The Farmer's Wife" from 1909 and the oil painting "Bridge" from 1921.

However, the paintings only represent a part of the extensive oeuvre. The museum's treasure trove also includes more than 200 works on paper and more than 500 letters, explained Weise. "These are important documents for research." Printing blocks and Pechstein's Federal Cross of Merit are also kept in Zwickau and shown in the small anniversary exhibition with numerous works and objects that have rarely or never been on public display before. According to Weise, the artist's heirs have regularly donated interesting pieces from their collection to the museum in recent years.

Pechstein is Zwickau's most famous son alongside the composer Robert Schumann. He was a member of the "Brücke" artists' group founded in Dresden in 1905 and is considered one of the most important representatives of Expressionism. His art was defamed by the National Socialists as "degenerate" and hundreds of his works were confiscated from German museums. In addition, some of his work was destroyed in a fire in his Berlin apartment and studio in 1945.

The Zwickau permanent exhibition on Pechstein will only be on display for a few more weeks for the time being. Then the venerable building of the art collections, which is also home to the Pechstein Museum, will have to close for several years for renovation work.