MIMESIS. MODERN REALISM

MIMESIS. MODERN REALISM focuses on the spread of Realism in the years between the World War I and II. This period saw a profound re-examination of the ideas and structures that had previously provided the basis of Western society, and Realism came to the fore as one of the main trends in modern art. In clear opposition to the subjective nature of the early 20th century avant-garde movements, Realist artists focused on representing the reality that surrounded them. To do so, they were obliged to develop a style appropriate to the new age and thus contributed to a better understanding of modern man.

Despite the variety of styles within Modern Realism, the exhibition analyses its development as an overall trend, which irrupted forcefully on the modern art scene but which ultimately weakened as a consequence of the economic, political and social problems that arose at this time and which would give rise to World War II. The exhibition traces the transformation of Realism from its early phase, when artists of this movement firmly upheld objectivity in artistic representation, to the crisis of the style around the time of its conclusion. At this point, precise visual description was called into question and representation became increasingly subjective.

The exhibition analyses the problems inherent in representing reality, making use of the concept of mimesis in modern art. With this aim in mind, it has been organised thematically, with works grouped according to the traditional genres of painting such as still life or the portrait, or by various recurring subjects such as the city or landscape. It also places particular emphasis on the relationships, shared features and affinities to be found in works by artists from widely differing national contexts.

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MIMESIS. MODERN REALISM 1918-45

mit Edward Hopper, u.a.