09 July 2016 till 11 December 2016

Religion & Belief

How did Piet Mondrian interpret one of the most popular religious scenes in early Western art? What did the figure of Christ mean to James Ensor? This exhibition offers some unexpected angles on the theme of religion and belief in modern and contemporary art. The presentation is a chance to compare and contrast eleven works that deal with religion, the forces of nature, esoterica, mysticism, ritual, spirituality and magic.

Wilhelm Sasnal, Anka in Tokyo, 2006, oil on canvas, Monique Zajfen Collectie

Wilhelm Sasnal, Anka in Tokyo, 2006, oil on canvas, Monique Zajfen Collectie

Wilhelm Sasnal, Anka in Tokyo, 2006
Erich Wichmann, Adam, Eve and the serpent, 1925, oil on canvas, Collection Gemeentemuseum Den Haag

Erich Wichmann, Adam, Eve and the serpent, 1925, oil on canvas, Collection Gemeentemuseum Den Haag

Erich Wichmann, Adam, Eve and the serpent, 1925

For years artists have sought to give visual expression to supernatural powers thought to give deeper meaning to our earthly existence.

Religion and belief have been a regular theme in works of art over the centuries. Inspired by conventionally religious or other beliefs, artists have sought to give visual expression to supernatural powers thought to give deeper meaning to our earthly existence. Religion & Belief invites visitors to look for similarities and differences in symbolism, composition and ideas.

The exhibition include works by Wilhelm Sasnal,  Marlene Dumas, Odilon Redon, Jacoba van Heemskerck, Ferdinand Hodler, Erich Wichmann, James Ensor, Daan van Golden and Piet Mondriaan.

Monique Zajfen Collection

Religion & Belief combines pieces from the Gemeentemuseum’s own collection with works from the Monique Zajfen Collection, property of the Broere Charitable Foundation. Since 2014, the Monique Zajfen Collection has been on long-term loan to the Gemeentemuseum.

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