The Museum der bildenden Künste (MdbK) Leipzig is presenting the new special exhibition "Tübke and Italy" on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Werner Tübke's death from 7 March to 16 June 2024. The Leipzig painter and draughtsman Werner Tübke (1929-2004) is one of the most prominent artistic personalities of the GDR. Over 100 works, including 19 paintings, numerous drawings and watercolours, will be on display in five rooms, highlighting Tübke's connection with Italy.
The MdbK has been preserving almost the entire estate of the artist since taking over the holdings of the Tübke Foundation in 2022 and has committed itself to scientific research. The new exhibition aims to take a different perspective on his works. From the 1970s onwards, Tübke made several trips to Italy, which was inaccessible to many of his compatriots at the time. Intensive experiences in places such as Venice, Milan, Florence, Rome, Capri and Sicily have since been reflected in his works in a variety of ways. Italy also marked a turning point in his career: a solo exhibition in a Milan gallery in 1971 led to his international breakthrough as an artist.
Tübke reveals his own multi-layered image of Italy in his works. The juxtaposition with high-ranking works by Jacopo Pontormo and Agnolo Bronzino (Uffizi, Florence) emphasises Tübke's affinity with the eccentric Florentine Mannerists of the 16th century. In his numerous self-portraits, the painter consciously plays with the conventions of Italian models in the sense of a special self-presentation. The exhibition in the context of the Leipzig pictorial cosmos shows - in addition to the artist's own holdings - paintings, prints and hand drawings from lenders in Germany and abroad. It was created in collaboration with the Institute of Art History at Leipzig University.
The MdbK has been preserving almost the entire estate of the artist since taking over the holdings of the Tübke Foundation in 2022 and has committed itself to scientific research. The new exhibition aims to take a different perspective on his works. From the 1970s onwards, Tübke made several trips to Italy, which was inaccessible to many of his compatriots at the time. Intensive experiences in places such as Venice, Milan, Florence, Rome, Capri and Sicily have since been reflected in his works in a variety of ways. Italy also marked a turning point in his career: a solo exhibition in a Milan gallery in 1971 led to his international breakthrough as an artist.
Tübke reveals his own multi-layered image of Italy in his works. The juxtaposition with high-ranking works by Jacopo Pontormo and Agnolo Bronzino (Uffizi, Florence) emphasises Tübke's affinity with the eccentric Florentine Mannerists of the 16th century. In his numerous self-portraits, the painter consciously plays with the conventions of Italian models in the sense of a special self-presentation. The exhibition in the context of the Leipzig pictorial cosmos shows - in addition to the artist's own holdings - paintings, prints and hand drawings from lenders in Germany and abroad. It was created in collaboration with the Institute of Art History at Leipzig University.
