Cesar Klein (1876–1954) was a modern all-round artist who transcended the boundaries between fine art and applied art with impressive versatility. His body of work encompassed not only painting and graphic art, but also interior design and the creation of mosaics, stained-glass windows, furniture and porcelain. Furthermore, as a stage and film set designer, he played a decisive role in shaping cultural life in Berlin during the Weimar Republic.
Image gallery
Cesar Klein Ahrenshoop II (Felsen am Meer), 1909 Öl auf Malpappe Privatsammlung Berlin
Cesar Klein Stillleben mit Blumen und Früchten, 1910 Öl auf Leinwand Privatbesitz
As a visual artist, Klein played a decisive role in the most important avant-garde movements of the pre-war and interwar periods. In 1910, he was one of the first members of the Neue Secession, alongside Expressionist artists such as Max Pechstein.
In 1919, Klein declined an invitation to join the newly founded Bauhaus. Instead, he took charge of a class in decorative painting at the Berlin Training Institute of the Museum of Decorative Arts, deepened his contacts within the art and theatre worlds, and became a much sought-after stage designer and interior designer in the 1920s – exerting a formative influence on both Expressionist theatre and the stylistic language of German Art Deco. During the Nazi era, Klein lost his professorship, was banned from painting and was defamed as ‘degenerate’; many of his works were removed from public collections. He was only able to continue working in the field of stage design. After the Second World War, he turned his attention once again to painting and produced an impressive body of late work.
Klein’s career illustrates the prominent role played by Berlin from the 1910s onwards. For this career was made possible by Berlin – and indeed, only in Berlin. Cesar Klein was deeply involved in Berlin’s rise to become the undisputed cultural capital of Germany during the Weimar Republic. As a key painter of German Expressionism, he built on the artistic philosophy shaped by the English Arts and Crafts movement, according to which artists should also work in the applied arts and devote themselves to the design of objects and spaces. Thus, in the capital, he created interior designs for cinemas and theatres and worked as a scenographer and set designer for film and theatre productions.
Cesar Klein is undoubtedly one of the most significant representatives of Berlin Modernism, both in fine art and in the applied arts. Nevertheless, no monographic exhibition has yet been dedicated to him in Berlin. The 150th anniversary of the artist’s birth now provides the occasion to honour his work with a large-scale exhibition in Berlin, featuring around 200 high-calibre loans.
Exhibition opening
Wed 14 Oct, 6.00 pm, no booking required
Free public guided tours (excluding museum admission)
Every Saturday, 3.00 pm, no booking required
Free public guided tours led by curators (excluding museum admission)
Sun 1 Nov, 10 Jan, 21 Feb, 4 pm, no booking required
Let’s put on a play! A talk followed by a discussion, accompanied by music and a puppet show
Sat 14 Nov, 6 pm, free admission, no booking required
Culture for everyone! Discussion, accompanied by music
Thu 4 Feb, 6 pm, free admission, no booking required
Stage designs and scenic spaces. Discussion
Fri 26 Feb, 6.00 pm, free admission, no registration required
Dear Rhythm. A musical tribute to Cesar Klein
Fri 12 March, 6 pm, free admission, no booking required
Free ‘Family Sundays’ every third Sunday of the month, 11.00 am, for children (aged 5–12)
and their families, 90 mins, registration required at: vermittlung@broehan-museum.de, Tel: 030/32690625
Autumn, winter and Easter holiday courses for children; further information: www.jugend-im-museum.de
School group programme accompanying the exhibition, further information: www.broehan-museum.de/vermittlung
Mosaic workshop
Be inspired by Cesar Klein’s vibrant colours and ornamental designs and create your own mosaic under professional guidance. Step by step, you’ll use colourful shards of ceramic and porcelain to create a unique piece of art to take home.
Sat 31 Oct, 7 Nov, 21 Nov, 5 Dec, 9 Jan, 23 Jan, 6 Feb, 27 Feb, 6 Mar, 20 Mar, 2.00–5.00 pm
Ages 16 and over, €89 per person including museum admission and workshop materials; limited number of places. No prior experience is required. Binding registration is required at least three days before your chosen date via: vermittlung@broehan-museum.de, Tel: 030 32690625
After-Work Mosaic
Experience the exhibition after closing time and create your own mosaic in an exclusive setting. Enjoy a special creative evening at the museum with a drink after work in a small group.
15 January or 19 February, 5–8 pm, ages 16 and over, €95 per person including museum admission and workshop materials; limited number of places. No prior experience is required. Binding registration is required no later than three days before the chosen date via: vermittlung@broehan-museum.de, Tel: 030/32690625
Happy Wednesday
Reduced admission every first Wednesday of the month
Guided tours available for groups
You can book bespoke guided tours of our exhibitions. Whether it’s a group tour, a curator-led tour or an exclusive evening tour, we have the right option for you.
Duration: 60 mins, Cost: €80/€120/€200 (plus museum admission)
For further information and to book, please contact: www.broehan-museum.de/vermittlung
