A monumental work by German Expressionist painter Ernst Ludwig Kirchner is making its way from Berlin to Bern for a remarkable artistic reunion that has been nearly a century in the making. The painting "Sonntag der Bergbauern (Alpsonntag)" [Sunday of the Mountain Farmers (Alp Sunday)], which has been displayed in the German Chancellery since the mid-1970s, will be exhibited alongside its companion piece for the first time in 92 years at the Kunstmuseum Bern.
The massive artwork will be shown together with its counterpart, "Alpsonntag. Szene am Brunnen" (Alp Sunday. Scene at the Fountain), creating a significant cultural event that highlights the importance of Kirchner's contribution to German Expressionism. The Federal Chancellery in Berlin has agreed to loan the painting, with approval from the head of the Chancellery, demonstrating the international cooperation required for such prestigious art exhibitions.
According to the Kunstmuseum Bern, the painting will begin its carefully orchestrated journey and is expected to arrive in the Swiss capital approximately one week before the exhibition opens. This timeline reflects the meticulous planning and security measures required when transporting such valuable and historically significant artwork across international borders.
The two paintings share a remarkable exhibition history, having been first displayed together in 1933 at what was the most extensive Ernst Ludwig Kirchner retrospective during the artist's lifetime. This groundbreaking exhibition took place at the Bern Kunsthalle and held special significance as Kirchner himself served as the curator and wrote the accompanying catalogue, making it a definitive statement of his artistic vision and career.
These companion paintings represent important works within Kirchner's artistic output and are considered significant examples of German Expressionist art. The artist, who lived from 1880 to 1938, was a founding member of the influential artist group Die Brücke (The Bridge) and played a crucial role in the development of German Expressionism in the early 20th century.
The reunion will be featured as part of the "Kirchner x Kirchner" exhibition at the Kunstmuseum Bern, which is scheduled to run from September 12, 2025, through January 11, 2026. This extended exhibition period will provide ample opportunity for art enthusiasts, scholars, and the general public to witness this rare pairing and appreciate the artistic dialogue between these two related masterpieces. The exhibition represents a significant cultural milestone, bringing together works that have been separated for nearly a century and offering new insights into Kirchner's artistic development and thematic concerns during his Swiss period.
