Albertinum: Paula Modersohn-Becker and Edvard Munch. The Big Questions of Life

Paula Modersohn-Becker and Edvard Munch

The Big Questions of Life

Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876–1907) and Edvard Munch (1863–1944) were two exceptional figures in 20th-century art. Through their expressive paintings, they found innovative artistic answers to the questions of their time concerning life, from birth to death.

Exhibition Site Albertinum

DATES 08/02/2026—17/05/2026

Opening Hours daily 11—18, Montag closed Thursday 11—20 (late opening "Wolfgang Tillmans. Weltraum")

Life Letters

We need your support for this exhibition! We are looking for people interested in writing texts about the artworks of Paula Modersohn-Becker and Edvard Munch, and the big questions of life.

rothaarige Frau, die sich über einen Mann lehnt

The concept of 'life' experienced a boom around 1900 as an alternative to the conventions, stagnation and meaninglessness of the previous century. It stood for pulsating immediacy, renewal, and youth. Modersohn-Becker and Munch became seismographs of their generation. The dialogue of their paintings brings together two worlds, different temperaments, a woman and a man.

Seitenansicht eines blonden Kindes das Flöte spielt — **Paula Modersohn-Becker, Brustbild eines Flöte blasenden Mädchens im Birkenwald, 1905**

Landschaft mit einem kleinen Bach — **Paula Modersohn-Becker, Moorgraben, um 1900**

zwei Mädchen unbekleidet vor einem Blumenfeld — **Paula Modersohn-Becker, Stehender und kniender Mädchenakt vor Mohnblumen II, 1906**

Kinder die sich an der Hand halten — **Edvard Munch, Vier Mädchen in Asgardstrand, 1903**

In cooperation with the Munch Museum in Oslo, the Albertinum presents the first major joint exhibition of works by both artists, which are still highly relevant today. This exhibition also celebrates the 150th anniversary of Paula Modersohn-Becker's birth on 8 February 1876 in Dresden-Friedrichstadt and will feature many of the most important works by both artists. The exhibition and related discussions will address today's questions about life and the future, the relationship between humans, nature, and the environment, and so on.

Further Exhibitions

Art from the Romantic period to the present day

in Albertinum

Kupferstich-Kabinett

in Residenzschloss

Portrait eines Mannes mit Hut und Vollbart

Puppentheatersammlung

in Kraftwerk Mitte

The State Apartments in Dresden’s Residenzschloss

in Residenzschloss

All Exhibitions

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