The beginning of a new world
The development of modern sculpture - 1 June to 29 September 2019
‘The beginning of a new world’ is a joy for all sculpture enthusiasts. It shows the development of modern sculpture through the eyes of Bram Hammacher, director from 1948 to 1963. He made the Kröller-Müller one of the most important international museums for modern sculpture. A must-see!
A journey through time
The beginning of a new world takes you on a journey through time. The exhibition shows the development of modern sculpture from around 1880 to the 1960s. From ‘great predecessors from the nineteenth century’, such as Auguste Rodin and Aristide Maillol and innovators like Constantin Brancusi and Pablo Picasso, to pioneers such as Jean Arp and Barbara Hepworth.
There is particular attention for expressive sculptures, such as Marino Marini’s Horse and rider, and for purely abstract works, such as Alicia Penalba’s Relief, which is on display for the first. The exhibition title is derived from Constantin Brancusi’s sculpture The beginning of the world, the final work in the exhibition.
“Rarely have the possibilities that this museum offers to sculpture, both outside on the lawn and indoors in the sculpture gallery, been used to such advantage.”
Publication and activities
The publication The beginning of a new world shows the development of modern sculpture from around 1880 to the 1960s, based on works from the collection of the Kröller-Müller Museum. Isabelle Bisseling writes about the problematic origins of the sculpture garden. Jurriaan Benschop investigates how the accents that Hammacher placed with his acquisitions while director still resonate in the collection today. The publication is available from the museum shop or our webshop for € 24.95.
See our calendar for lectures and activities.
