© dpa
Weekend Tips: What to Do This Weekend in Berlin
July 19 to 21, 2024: Events, concerts, exhibitions and more things to do for your perfect weekend in Berlin. more
Current language: English
Kollwitz meets colleagues
Presentation of selected works
August Gaul, Die Ziegen, Bronze, 1898
© Käthe-Kollwitz-Museum Berlin
INTERVENTION in the permanent exhibition:
The animal sculptor August Gaul
Before the museum can move into its final, larger exhibition space on the first floor of the theatre building and thus have space for temporary exhibitions in addition to the exhibition of works by Käthe Kollwitz, small, temporary special exhibitions will be integrated into the collection presentation in the "Intervention" format until then. Last year, the museum was able to show rare prints and unique drawings by Käthe Kollwitz from two private collections in three thematically different "Interventions". This year, the museum is devoting itself to Käthe Kollwitz' fellow artists and, following a first INTERVENTION on works by the sculptor Wilhelm Loth (1920-1993), is now showing works by the animal sculptor August Gaul (1869-1921) in a second INTERVENTION.
Following on from our successful special exhibition "Of all the artists, only you were as dear to me as a friend" on the occasion of August Gaul's 150th birthday in 2019/2020, we are delighted to present the sculptor's delightful animal sculptures to a wider public once again. The sculptures on display, together with prints and archive material, were given to the Kollwitz Museum on permanent loan by Charlotte Hansen-Gaul, the artist's granddaughter.
Born in Großauheim, August Gaul is one of the most important artists of modernism. The sculptor was closely associated with Käthe Kollwitz for many years, although their artistic approaches differed. While Gaul became an innovator of German sculpture with his animal figures, Kollwitz was able to establish a new kind of expressive art with her graphic works inspired by the social conditions of the time.
Gaul created monumental sculptures in stone and bronze as well as small and miniature formats and focussed on the animal motif. "I don't want to pedantically imitate nature at all, but rather capture the typical and its emotional core. Above all, I want to create a sculptural work. (...) What attracts me to animals is essentially of an artistic nature. I do tie-re because it makes me happy," explained Gaul in an interview with the journalist Franz Servaes in 1917.
Both artists used the same opportunities to publicise their art. Both August Gaul and Käthe Kollwitz had been closely associated with the Berlin Secession since the turn of the century and presented their works there from 1899. After 1918, they also worked together in the Prussian Academy of Arts, both were represented by the gallery owner Paul Cassirer (1871-1926) and were companions of Gerhart Hauptmann, Max Liebermann, Heinrich Zille and Ernst Barlach. The latter described the animal sculptor as "extremely selfless", who also supported Käthe Kollwitz in her autodidactic endeavours to become a sculptor: "Today [...] Gaul was in the studio and looked at my work at my request. Gave me some good practical advice. Was really nice as always." (Diary of 21 November 1916)
The animal sculptor August Gaul
Before the museum can move into its final, larger exhibition space on the first floor of the theatre building and thus have space for temporary exhibitions in addition to the exhibition of works by Käthe Kollwitz, small, temporary special exhibitions will be integrated into the collection presentation in the "Intervention" format until then. Last year, the museum was able to show rare prints and unique drawings by Käthe Kollwitz from two private collections in three thematically different "Interventions". This year, the museum is devoting itself to Käthe Kollwitz' fellow artists and, following a first INTERVENTION on works by the sculptor Wilhelm Loth (1920-1993), is now showing works by the animal sculptor August Gaul (1869-1921) in a second INTERVENTION.
Following on from our successful special exhibition "Of all the artists, only you were as dear to me as a friend" on the occasion of August Gaul's 150th birthday in 2019/2020, we are delighted to present the sculptor's delightful animal sculptures to a wider public once again. The sculptures on display, together with prints and archive material, were given to the Kollwitz Museum on permanent loan by Charlotte Hansen-Gaul, the artist's granddaughter.
Born in Großauheim, August Gaul is one of the most important artists of modernism. The sculptor was closely associated with Käthe Kollwitz for many years, although their artistic approaches differed. While Gaul became an innovator of German sculpture with his animal figures, Kollwitz was able to establish a new kind of expressive art with her graphic works inspired by the social conditions of the time.
Gaul created monumental sculptures in stone and bronze as well as small and miniature formats and focussed on the animal motif. "I don't want to pedantically imitate nature at all, but rather capture the typical and its emotional core. Above all, I want to create a sculptural work. (...) What attracts me to animals is essentially of an artistic nature. I do tie-re because it makes me happy," explained Gaul in an interview with the journalist Franz Servaes in 1917.
Both artists used the same opportunities to publicise their art. Both August Gaul and Käthe Kollwitz had been closely associated with the Berlin Secession since the turn of the century and presented their works there from 1899. After 1918, they also worked together in the Prussian Academy of Arts, both were represented by the gallery owner Paul Cassirer (1871-1926) and were companions of Gerhart Hauptmann, Max Liebermann, Heinrich Zille and Ernst Barlach. The latter described the animal sculptor as "extremely selfless", who also supported Käthe Kollwitz in her autodidactic endeavours to become a sculptor: "Today [...] Gaul was in the studio and looked at my work at my request. Gave me some good practical advice. Was really nice as always." (Diary of 21 November 1916)
Runtime: Sun, 14/07/2024 to Sun, 06/10/2024
Price info: The following are entitled to free admission upon presentation of the relevant proof of eligibility: Children and young people under the age of 18, holders of an entitlement certificate (formerly berlinpass), members of the Association of Berlin City Guides, representatives of the press, members of ICOM
Price: €7.00
Reduced price: €4.00
Reduced price info: The following are entitled to reduced admission upon presentation of the relevant proof: Schoolchildren aged 18 and over, students and trainees, federal volunteers, groups of 12 or more, members of the Museumsbund, members of the Bundesverband, Bildender Künstler, members of the Verband deutscher Kunsthistoriker, members of the Theatergemeinde Berlin, members of the Kulturvolk Berlin, holders of a severely disabled pass, holders of the artCard, holders of the Berliner Ehrenamtskarte (Berlin Volunteer Card).
Price: €7.00
Reduced price: €4.00
Reduced price info: The following are entitled to reduced admission upon presentation of the relevant proof: Schoolchildren aged 18 and over, students and trainees, federal volunteers, groups of 12 or more, members of the Museumsbund, members of the Bundesverband, Bildender Künstler, members of the Verband deutscher Kunsthistoriker, members of the Theatergemeinde Berlin, members of the Kulturvolk Berlin, holders of a severely disabled pass, holders of the artCard, holders of the Berliner Ehrenamtskarte (Berlin Volunteer Card).
Takes place here:
The help page for the event calendar answers common questions.. Information about coperations and imprint can be found on our page about partners and terms and conditions.