Queer Art in Germany Highlights Marginalized Modernists

A New Exhibition Celebrates Queer Contributions to Modernism

An intimate portrait of a lesbian couple, a painting of young naked men enjoying themselves by the water, and a flamboyantly dressed, androgynously looking person at a fairground are just some of the works featured in a groundbreaking exhibition. This new display, titled “Queer Modernism. 1900 to 1950,” is set to open in Düsseldorf, Germany, and aims to highlight the significant contributions of queer artists to modernism.

The exhibition explores the experiences of LGBTQ+ artists during the first half of the 20th century, a period marked by both sexual freedom in cities like Paris and Berlin and widespread persecution of homosexuality, especially during the rise of fascism in the 1930s. According to Susanne Gaensheimer, director of the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, this is the first major exhibition on this topic in Europe, if not worldwide.

Themes of Desire, Identity, and Oppression

Featuring more than 130 works by 34 artists, the exhibition includes paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, and films. The pieces explore themes such as desire, gender, sexuality, discrimination, and oppression. Many of the artists represented came from across Europe and the United States, as queer artists often moved to Europe for its more liberal climate.

Gaensheimer emphasized that these artists were part of a vibrant network during their time. “Many of them were successful in their day, sold works, and were part of a very intense movement and also part of the avant-garde,” she said. Some artists used secret codes to express their identities, while others openly celebrated their queerness in their work.

Notable Artists and Their Works

One of the standout pieces is an oil painting by German-Swedish artist Lotte Laserstein titled “I and My Model.” It depicts her with a palette and paintbrush while her lover, Traute Rose, gazes over her shoulder. Another notable work is “The Source” by Ludwig von Hofmann, which shows three young, naked men around a spring. The painting was purchased by famous author Thomas Mann, who had homosexual desires that he expressed in his personal diaries and fiction.

Many of these works have been scattered globally due to the turmoil of the two world wars. Additionally, the perspectives of queer artists were often overlooked in traditional art history. Gaensheimer explained that the exhibition aims to broaden the understanding of modernism by introducing artists and styles that do not appear in the classic narrative.

Queer Resistance and Survival

The exhibition is divided into eight chapters, including one focused on queer resistance since 1933, when the Nazis rose to power in Germany. Homosexuals were persecuted, deported, and killed in concentration camps. While some artists resisted or emigrated, others collaborated with fascist regimes to protect themselves.

Despite these challenges, many queer artists found ways to celebrate life and queerness in their work. For example, the painting “Bank Holiday Monday” by Gluck (born Hannah Gluckstein) captures a stylish, androgynous figure at a fairground, with an intimate tension between two figures. The piece reflects a sometimes hidden, sometimes open celebration of identity.

Ongoing Exploration and Engagement

The exhibition, curated in collaboration with a queer advisory board, will run through February 15, 2026. Throughout the coming months, the museum will host various readings, tours, and workshops to help visitors further explore the themes of the show. This exhibition offers a powerful reminder of the resilience and creativity of queer artists throughout history.