BERLIN.- The Alte Nationalgalerie on Museum Island Berlin has opened "Camille Claudel and Bernhard Hoetger: Emancipation from Rodin," an exhibition that brings together the sculptures of two artists whose careers intersected in early 20th-century Paris. The exhibition, which opened on June 5, 2025, will run until September 28, 2025.


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This special presentation marks the first time since 1905 that works by Claudel and Hoetger have been collectively exhibited, highlighting their shared pursuit of artistic recognition and their distinct paths away from the influence of Auguste Rodin. The exhibition aims to illuminate a historically under-examined encounter in European art, showcasing the artistic vitality they developed amidst the Parisian avant-garde.

The core of the exhibition revisits a dual show organized in 1905 by Parisian gallerist Eugène Blot, which featured twelve of Claudel's bronzes and 33 of Hoetger's bronze sculptures, along with plasters and drawings. Notable works by Claudel on display include "La Valse" (1889–1905), "L’Implorante" (1894–1905), and "La Vague" (1897). Hoetger's contributions include "Bände" from the Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum in Bremen, multiple versions of his "Fécondité," and his "Elberfelder Torso." In total, the exhibition features 67 works from international museums and private collections.

The exhibition's design incorporates elements characteristic of 19th-century viewing habits, presenting the sculptures among contextualizing elements like houseplants, drapes, and various pedestals. Thematic rooms explore the Parisian art scene and Impressionist movement of the period.

Educational components complement the exhibition, including a collaboration with the NOACK bronze foundry, offering insights into historical and contemporary bronze casting techniques. A program of lectures, guided tours, modeling workshops, and a discussion series are available for diverse audiences. Additionally, the film "Camille Claudel" will be screened at Cinema Paris on June 24 and June 29.

The exhibition also highlights a recent acquisition by the Alte Nationalgalerie: a bronze by Camille Claudel, "L’Implorante" (1894–1905), acquired in 2024 with support from the Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung. This acquisition not only connects directly to works by Rodin already in the Nationalgalerie's collection but also addresses a gap in the museum's Impressionist sculpture holdings.

An illustrated 176-page catalog, available in German and English, accompanies the exhibition, supported by the Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung. A complimentary audio guide is provided in German, English, French, and Easy Language (German).

"Camille Claudel and Bernhard Hoetger: Emancipation from Rodin" is curated by Dr. Yvette Deseyve, Deputy Director and Curator for Sculpture at the Alte Nationalgalerie, with assistance from Dr. Sintje Guericke, research assistant. The exhibition is supported by the FREUNDE der Nationalgalerie and the SPK Federal Program.



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