Camille Claudel & Bernhard Hoetger. Emanzipation von Rodin

120 years after their first joint exhibition, the enchanting masterpieces of Camille Claudel (1864 – 1943) once again meet the fascinating and little-known early work of Bernhard Hoetger (1874 – 1949)!

The French sculptress, who was already acclaimed among connoisseurs, and the aspiring young German sculptor first met in 1905 as part of a double exhibition at Eugène Blotʼs gallery in Paris. Eugène Blot was of decisive importance for contemporary reception; today, however, this unique exhibition event is almost forgotten. Although a slim catalogue booklet, a photography and several enthusiastic reviews are remaining to bear witness.

Based on this presentation, which in retrospect can be defined as the beginning of Hoetgerʼs career and the end of Claudelʼs, the Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum sheds light on the central creative phases of these artists: both initially oriented themselves towards their role model Auguste Rodin, worked off his Impressionist formal language and dominant position in artistic circles, and finally emancipated themselves from him. United in their effort to create their own oeuvre, they developed an artistic vitality with international appeal in the focus of the modern age that continues to have an impact today.

For a long time Camille Claudelʼs work was overshadowed by the fascination with her life story and much of Hoetger’s work is not well known nowadays. Through the biographies of these artists, the special exhibition also illustrates the changing trends and social judgements to which their works were and still are subjected.