Minneapolis Review

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) will present a major international exhibition titled “Modern Art and Politics in Germany 1910–1945: Masterworks from the Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin.” The exhibition is scheduled to run from March 7 through July 19, 2026, in the Target Galleries.

The exhibition brings together more than 70 paintings and sculptures from the collection of the Neue Nationalgalerie, Germany’s national museum of 20th-century modern art. It examines the complex relationship between art and politics during a period of significant upheaval in Germany, spanning the years from the final days of the German Empire through World War II.

Tom Rassieur, John E. Andrus III Curator of Prints and Drawings at Mia, said: “Germany had a vibrant art scene before and after World War I, and museums actively acquired some of the most innovative works of their time. When the Nazis came to power, many of these modern works were labeled ‘degenerate’ and removed from museums. Artists responded, sometimes politically and often in deeply moving ways. The period from 1910 to 1945 continues to resonate today, offering important lessons about the power of art in times of upheaval.”

The exhibition is organized into six thematic sections. These include Expressionism; New Objectivity (Neue Sachlichkeit); International Avant-Gardes; Modes of Abstraction; Politics and War; and an epilogue featuring works by exiled and so-called “degenerate” artists. Notable artists featured are Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Emil Nolde, Christian Schad, Curt Querner, Pablo Picasso, Fernand Léger, Oskar Kokoschka, Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky, Oskar Schlemmer, George Grosz, Wilhelm Lehmbruck, Horst Strempel, Max Beckmann, and Salvador Dalí.

Katie Luber, Nivin and Duncan MacMillan Director and President of Mia stated: “This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to witness the ways artists both reflected and resisted the forces shaping Germany during the first half of the 20th century. Mia has long been committed to exploring art’s power in times of change, and with our strong holdings of German art from this period, we are uniquely positioned to present this story to our visitors.”

“Modern Art and Politics in Germany 1910–1945: Masterworks from the Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin” is organized by both the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin and the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth. A comprehensive catalogue accompanies the exhibition with essays by leading scholars.

The exhibition will be held at Mia’s Target Gallery with an admission fee of $20. General admission to other parts of Mia remains free for all visitors. More details about upcoming exhibitions can be found at www.artsmia.org.

The Minneapolis Institute of Art houses over 100,000 works spanning 5,000 years. Its mission is to inspire creativity while connecting historical collections with contemporary audiences.