This richly illustrated catalogue is the first to illuminate the dynamic relationship and points of artistic overlap between Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Pablo Picasso. The latter was known for his diverse range of artistic forms of expression and techniques, while the former co-founded the Brücke artist group and developed his style over time, moving from Impressionism to Expressionism. Both artists considered questions of identity and the spirit of their, which serves to highlight the variation and similarity in their uses of theme, style, and expression. The volume sheds new light on two exceptional artists who, despite never having met in person, had a great deal in common, not least their use of portraits, depictions of bathers, and references to popular culture.
»Kirchner and Picasso are fundamentally different. Yet, an examination of their output, placing their works in dialogue, reveals – despite all the differences – striking parallels, which are evident in shared sources of inspiration, subject matter and formal aspects, which extend beyond their shared contemporaneity.« (Louis Gerber, Cosmopolis)
»Sie waren Zeitgenossen, sind einander jedoch nie begegnet, aber der eine konnte sich immerhin bereits 1933 eine Ausstellung vorstellen, bei der beider Arbeiten zu sehen sind. Jetzt, über 90 Jahre später, ist sie endlich zustande gekommen, und siehe da: Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (Jahrgang 1880) und Pablo Picasso (Jahrgang 1881) sind zwei Heroen der Klassischen Moderne, deren Werk bemerkenswerte Parallelen aufweist.« (Christiane Osterhof, KulturNotizen, Dezember 2025)
