Opening Max Klinger 4, 3 and one, once more accompanied by Klingers Muse, 28.02.25, 17 hours

The opening of the exhibition will take place on 28 February 2028 from 17:00 to 20:00. Mr Damerau, the gallery owner and collector to whom we owe the realisation of the exhibition, will honour us with his presence. Even at the last vernissage in December 2024, the matching (like a fist on the eye, so to speak) wine accompaniment was very much to the favour of our visitors. Fortunately, we were able to reorder several bottles. That's why we are once again serving ‘Klingers Muse’, a cuvée of Gelber Muskateller, Traminer and Scheurebe from the cellar of the Grober Feetz winery in Freyburg, to match the items for sale. Grown on the Max Klinger vineyard in Großjena. These etchings are displayed on the walls:

Jugend Amors (Amors´s Youth)

The depiction shows one of the main figures from ancient mythology, Amor (also known as Eros), in his youthful, charming appearance. In Klinger's work, Amor is not only a symbol of love, but is depicted as a young, almost playful figure who embodies the innocence and energy of youth.

Venus zeigt Amor Psyche (Venus shows Amor Psyche)

In this depiction, Venus, the goddess of love and mother of Amor, takes centre stage. She shows Amor the mortal Psyche, which is a symbolic scene for the beginning of the love story between Amor and Psyche. In Klinger's version of this scene, Venus is shown in a rather majestic and sublime pose. She is depicted as a self-confident but also benevolent mother figure, preparing Amor for the next phase of the story. Her demeanour is calmer, almost educational, and she seems to be guiding Amor with a kind of wisdom or insight. Amor is still the youthful, slightly playful figure in this scene.

Jupiter and Venus

In this work, Jupiter, the highest god of the Roman pantheon, interacts with Venus, the goddess of love and the mother of Amor. In Klinger's depiction, Jupiter is shown as a powerful, majestic figure. He embodies divine authority and power, which stands in stark contrast to the tender and loving Venus. Jupiter symbolises the higher order, fate and the law that rules over the gods and humans. The scene between the two gods reflects an interesting tension: Jupiter, as the representative of heaven and divine will, and Venus, who symbolises love and passion. Klinger's depiction shows the dynamic between the two figures.

Amor with Jupiter

This scene is of great significance as it reflects the moment in which Amor (Eros) steps before Jupiter. Klinger realises this scene in a dramatic and emotionally charged context. Amor appears here as a figure taking his stand before the mighty Jupiter. This depiction shows both Amor's uncertainty and his courage in approaching a higher divine being and asking for a decision or judgement concerning his love for Psyche.

Mondnacht (Moon Night)

The etching captures the soft light and shadow effects created by the moonlight and conveys a sense of stillness and contemplation. Klinger uses fine lines and shading to capture the mood of the night.

Gefallener Reiter (Fallen Horseman)

The scene shows a rider who has fallen off his horse, which at first glance looks like a physical accident. However, as with many of Klinger's works, there is a deeper, symbolic meaning behind the imagery. The rider here could not only have fallen physically, but could also have fallen in a metaphysical or emotional sense. The fall symbolises failure, the loss of power or control and the failure of an ideal or a goal in life.

Simplicius in der Waldeinöde (Simplicius in the forest wasteland)

The depiction of Simplicius in the forest wasteland could also refer to the metaphorical journey of the individual - a journey into the unconscious or into the depths of one's own self. The forest as a setting reinforces the idea of uncertainty and the confrontation with one's own fears, doubts and hopes. Simplicius is not only physically lost in nature here, but also on a symbolic search for inner clarity or truth. In this depiction, Klinger uses a concise visual language that emphasises the isolating, gloomy character of the scene. The trees, the thicket and the shadows cast a menacing atmosphere over the figure, hinting at the inner struggles Simplicius is facing. It could be a reflection on the human experience - the confrontation with one's own loneliness and the search for a deeper understanding of life.

Glück

‘Happiness’ is a visual meditation on the ideal and often unattainable goal of human experience - the perfect union in love that can transport us for a moment into a state of supreme happiness. It is a deeply emotional depiction of joy, fulfilment and the beauty of human connection, given an almost mystical quality by Klinger's symbolist approach.