Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880–1938) is today regarded as one of the leading figures of classical modern art. A founding member of the artist avanguardie group Die Brücke, he was central to German Expressionism, known for his bold use of color, dynamic compositions, and an unflinching engagement with the human condition.
In 1933, the Kunsthalle Bern hosted the largest retrospective of his lifetime, curated by Kirchner himself in collaboration with Max Huggler, then head of the institution and later director of the Kunstmuseum Bern.
The new exhibition, Kirchner X Kirchner, looks back at that landmark event and, for the first time, presents Kirchner as both artist and curator of his own work. Featuring around 62 pieces created between 1908 and 1933, from major European and American museums and private collections, the show explores how he shaped and reinterpreted his own artistic development—through reworked canvases, critical texts, and thematic juxtapositions.
By revisiting Kirchner’s self-curated vision, the exhibition opens a rich dialogue between past and present, reaffirming his lasting influence on modern art.
The Kirchner X Kirchner exhibition at the Kunst Museum Bern until 11 January 2026.