Olaf Metzel - Hans von Marées

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Opinions on Hans von Marées’ work (1837-1887) are polarized; some view him as a failed artist, while others see him as a precursor to modernism in Germany. This enduring contradiction raises questions about the significance of his paintings, particularly in relation to contemporary artist Olaf Metzel (*1952). Metzel proposed a dual exhibition to foster dialogue, asserting that the neoidealistic approach of the German Romans, to which von Marées belonged, is part of the European vision currently under political scrutiny. The exhibition juxtaposes von Marées’ paintings with Metzel’s advanced sculptures, including his piece "Turkish Delight" (2006), which explores classical themes of portraiture and the human figure. Metzel boldly confronts political issues, as seen in his large aluminum work "Lampedusa" (2015), which incorporates newspaper articles on the refugee crisis. This stark contrast to the poetic gardens of historical painting highlights Metzel's intent to modernize von Marées’ oeuvre while emphasizing the ongoing necessity for artistic provocation. The accompanying volume documents the exhibition and includes lectures on the current state of this debate.