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Romanticism exhibition in Moscow and Dresden – a highlight of cultural cooperation
Exhibition “Dreams of Freedom. Romanticism in Russia and Germany”, © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Foto: David Pinzer
Following a successful run in Moscow, the exhibition “Dreams of Freedom. Romanticism in Russia and Germany” has been on show in Dresden since early October. It is a key example of cultural cooperation between Germany and Russia.
The exhibition “Dreams of Freedom. Romanticism in Russia and Germany” is the result of the collaboration between the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow and the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden (Dresden State Art Collections), two leading art museums in Germany and Russia. It creates an unprecedented exchange between the art movements of the two countries during the Romantic period. It thus enables visitors to develop a better understanding of the respective other country.
Exhibition layout by Daniel Libeskind
The exhibition layout: a labyrinthine system of passages
Some of the most important works of the Romantic period are on display, including masterpieces by Caspar David Friedrich and Alexander Ivanov, as well as selected examples of contemporary art, which form both aesthetic and substantive links to the Romantic period. The exhibition layout by Daniel Libeskind is also an interesting experience: a labyrinthine system of passages which bring to light surprising links between German and Russian exhibits.
The Federal Foreign Office is supporting the exhibition with the aim of facilitating exchange and interaction across national borders, thus fostering mutual understanding in Germany and Russia of each other’s culture and society. Cultural cooperation is an important area in shaping German-Russian relations and a major bridge between the two societies. It creates spaces where experiences can be shared and it strengthens ties between societies.
The exhibition makes use of art’s bridge-building role in relations with Russia. The presentation of contrasts and commonalities in German and Russian Romanticism art also provides a basis for current social discourses.
On to Dresden after a successful run in Moscow
There were many visitors to the exhibition at the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow between April and August 2021. A comprehensive supporting programme offered additional opportunities to examine the Romantic period as well as links between Germany and Russia. The exhibition has been at the Albertinum in Dresden since 2 October 2021.