August Gaul: Modern Animals

4 June 2021

Two Sitting Cubs (1903/04), August Gaul. Photo: Uwe Dettmar; © Städtische Museen Hanau

A founding member of the Berlin Secession, August Gaul looked to the animal kingdom as a source of inspiration unspoiled by industrialised life. His sculptures, prints and paintings are among 250 works on show in this exhibition at Kunstmuseum Bern (4 June–24 October) – along with zoological books, photographs and artworks by his contemporaries. Together, these works provide a record of evolving European attitudes to animals at the turn of the 20th century. Find out more from the Kunstmuseum Bern’s website.

Preview below | View Apollo’s Art Diary here

Ostrich (1900), August Gaul.

Ostrich (1900), August Gaul. Kunstmuseum Bern, loan from Zwillenberg Foundation

Tiershutz! (1925), Niklaus Stoecklin.

Tiershutz! (1925), Niklaus Stoecklin. Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Plakatsammlung, ZHdK. Photo: © 2021, ProLitteris, Zurich

Big Standing Lioness (1899-1901), August Gaul.

Big Standing Lioness (1899–1901), August Gaul. Photo: Uwe Dettmar; © Städtische Museen Hanau

Circus Knie, Lothar Jeck.

Circus Knie (n.d.), Lothar Jeck. Photo: © Verein zur Erhaltung des Fotoarchivs Jeck, Büro für Fotografiegeschichte Bern