Freedom on two wheels

Bicycle posters from the "Belle Époche"

Werbeplakat für Fahrräder der Marke Cycles Terrot, Lithographie von Francisco Nicolas Tamagno, Paris ca. 1895 – Ein gelbes Werbeplakat für Fahrräder von Francisco Nicolas Tamagno, Paris ca. 1895. Die Überschirft ist in Orangerot gehalten, das Motiv zeigt eine Dame um 19oo auf einem Fahrrad. Sie fährt in koketter Haltung auf Schiene, hinter ihr ein Bahntunnel, aus dem eine Dampflok kommt.

Free, independent and modern: This was the attitude to life that the bicycle promised in France around 1900 and so it was widely advertised there. Lithographic posters served as advertising material. These are extraordinary works of art. They offer unique insights into the understanding of technology and culture at the time. Women in particular take center stage as advertising ambassadors on the posters of the "Belle Époque" - and in very different ways.

From April 24 to December 8, 2024, the German Museum of Technology is showing over 40 large-format bicycle posters from its own collection. The exhibition "Freedom on two wheels. The bicycle on French posters around 1900" tells of a time when the bicycle as a modern means of transportation and the poster as a new advertising medium entered into a symbiosis. This burst of creativity is still fascinating today. The posters are a mirror of social ideals and world views around 1900, showing a spectrum of gender roles, technology and culture typical of the time.

Translated with DeepL

Runtime: Wed, 24/04/2024 to Sun, 19/01/2025

Price info: At the till/ without online ticket € 13 (including 1 € service fee)

 

Admission is free for those under 18 and up to the completion of regular schooling.

Price: €12.00

Reduced price: €6.00

Reduced price info: At the till/ without online ticket € 7 (including 1 € service fee)

Discounts are available to the following, with appropriate proof:

Students

Unemployed persons

Severely disabled persons (from 50%)

Recipients of social welfare

Recipients of benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act (Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz)

Federal volunteers and those doing voluntary military service

Berliners with the berlinpass and berlinpass-BuT

Groups from institutions for the disabled

Takes place here:

• Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin