At the beginning of the 20th century, Leipzig was an economically and culturally prosperous metropolis and Jewish families were important players in the cultural life of the city - until they were almost forgotten due to the atrocities and crimes of National Socialism. The MdbK has been intensively investigating them and their forgotten commitment for over two years and is now honoring the outstanding contribution of Jewish families to the visual arts in Leipzig in an exhibition for the first time.
The exhibition "Four Walls Full of Art" presents from October 1, 2026 to 31. January 2027, the exhibition "Four Walls Full of Art" presents paintings, sculptures and works on paper from the private collections of eleven Jewish families from Leipzig: Erna and Wilhelm Breslauer, Antonie (Toni) and Hermann Halberstam, Franziska and Max Heilpern, Margarete and Max Hermann Heine, Martha and Henri Hinrichsen, Clara (Cläre) and Gustav Kirstein, Moritz Kraemer, Karl Lilienfeld, Marie and Friedrich Nachod, Laura (Lore) and Carl Sonntag as well as the brothers Moritz and Julius Ury. The biographies of the families are closely interwoven with the history of the MdbK.
Their collections include works of art from French and German Impressionism, Classical Modernism and other outstanding representatives of 19th and 20th century art. Stylistically, the collections thus reflect the spectrum of bourgeois culture. At the same time, the collectors supported artists and were on friendly terms with them and with each other, in some cases on a family basis. Together, they were actively involved in cultural associations and clubs and formed a closely networked community of interests.
The exhibition explores the topics of art reception, the art market and art patronage along the lines of individual biographies and illustrates the complex interrelationships. Historical photos, publications and archival documents complement the works of art and tell of the lives of the families and their members.For the first time, an exhibition pays tribute to the outstanding commitment of Jewish families to the visual arts in Leipzig. Their collections and biographies, which were almost forgotten during the National Socialist era, are now being made visible again. With this presentation, the MdbK commemorates the city's important Jewish history and cultural heritage.
