Max Pechstein: Adventures in Expressionism

In addition to Dresden and Berlin, fishing villages on the Baltic Sea coast were his most important sources of inspiration. Starting in 1913, his works were presented to the Berlin public at the art salon of Fritz Gur­litt. Wolfgang Gur­litt, who had been the owner of the gallery since 1907, also supported Pechstein's journey to the South Seas. On the Palau Islands, the expressionist painter sought a life in harmony with nature, but World War I ended his adventure prematurely. After the war, Pechstein found new creative energy in Berlin. In 1937, over 500 of his works were confiscated as part of the "Degenerate Art" campaign by the National Socialists. Motifs painted from memory of his South Sea journey reappeared in his later work in vibrant colors.

A specific focus in Linz highlights Pechstein's special relationship with Gur­litt. Over 100 works, including portraits, Baltic Sea landscapes, and South Sea motifs, will be on display for the first time in Austria.