Exhibition «Growing – Blossoming – Wilting. Ernst Kreidolf and plants» | Kunstmuseum Bern

The Kunstmuseum Bern

 

Ernst Kreidolf
Left: Ernst Kreidolf. Schicksalsträume und Gesichte: Selbstbildnis, 1916
Aquarell und Gouache auf Papier auf Karton. 27,9 x 25,6 cm
Kunstmuseum Bern, Verein Ernst Kreidolf
Right: Ernst Kreidolf. Lenzgesind: Bei den Stiefmütterchen, 1926
usche und Aquarell auf Papier. 25,7 × 34,4 cm
Kunstmuseum Bern, Verein Ernst Kreidolf

04.09.2020 - 10.01.2021

Ernst Kreidolf (1863 - 1956) has never been forgotten as a painter and picture-book artist. His works seduce us into the world of fairy-tale ad dream, in which plants play a central role. The exhibition in Kunstmuseum Bern shows Kreidolf's studies, marked by scientific curiosity, and presents the impressive original illustrations to his books.

Even as a child at his grandparents' farm in Tagerwilen, Ernst Kreidolf tried to record everything that glows and blossoms with his drawing pen. He also acquired a broad botanical knowledge. This closeness to nature was to accompany him throughout his life, and he expressed it in his work particularly through the personification of plants. Early on Kreidolf experimented with developing an artistic language on the basis of plant studies. Finally, in the Blumen-Marchen (1898) he succeeded in merging the observation of nature and imagination.

'There are two things that fascinate me about Ernst Kreidolf. On the one hand, it is his art, which draws the viewer into fairy-tale worlds that are as fantastical as they are poetic, and yet does not lose its reference to real life. On the other hand, I am fascinated by his involvement in a diverse artistic environment. He was part of a pulsating art scene, he was in contact with musicians and writers, and was close friends with many visual artists.'
Dr Barbara Stark, Director Stadtische Wessenberg-Galerie, Konstanz

With the Blumen-Marchen (1898) and his books Die schlafenden Baume (1901) and Gartentraum (1911) Ernst Kreidolf set new standards in picture-book design. The trained lithographer wrote the poems and stories for these books himself, but he was also active as a sensitive illustrator. His fantastical pictures for the school reading book Roti Rosli im Garte (1925) would make a lasting impression on the memories of generations of Swiss children.

In most of his picture books Kreidolf remained true to the principle of placing a poem that he had written himself next to the pictures. In his memoirs he wrote: 'In all my picture books (...) the picture is always the primary, the thing that was produced first, the text always secondary, the accompaniment to it.'

In this way small narratives which are also very much related to contemporary history are spun around the flower creatures; narratives which are suitable for reading aloud, and so concise that they invite further story-telling. Dying, violence and threats of various kinds are also present in Kreidolf's work. In all the books, as well as the lighter scenes there are some that are dark and uncanny. Contrasts and emotional swings are typical of the arrangement of the pictures. With this ambivalence of melancholic dreaminess and humour the exhibition invites visitors on a stimulating journey through the varied cosmos of Kreidolf's world of plants.

'In a lonely knotweed on black paper, the vulnerability and strength of nature are revealed - Ernst Kreidolf's representations of plants touch upon existential questions. I am impressed by the way in which he manages to do this with simple means thanks to a precise observation of nature. And I like his humour, which makes many of his works look surprisingly fresh even after over a hundred years. '
Marianne Wackernagel, Curator of the exhibition

Curator
Marianne Wackernagel, Director, Collection of Prints and Drawings, Kunstmuseum Bern

The exhibition was organised in collaboration with the Association and Foundation Ernst Kreidolf as well as the Stadtische Wessenberg-Galerie, Konstanz. After the presentation in Kunstmuseum Bern, it will be shown in the Stadtische Wessenberg-Galerie, Konstanz from 29 January to 11 April 2021.

With the support of
Kanton Bern, Credit Suisse, Gesellschaft zu Ober-Gerwern, Susann Hausler-Stiftung and Ruth und Arthur Scherbarth Stiftung.

More information, The Kunstmuseum Bern

 

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