Mathilde Dietrichson, Self-Portrait, 1865 Oil on Canvas, Oslo Museum Photo Rune Aakvik, Oslo Museum
Overlooked, forgotten, suppressed — countless female artists of the 19th and early 20th centuries remain absent from the established canon of art history. Featuring over 100 works, this exhibition is the first comprehensive survey to explore the lives, artistic output, and challenges faced by women active in Düsseldorf during this period.
In the 19th century, Düsseldorf attracted artists from across Europe. Many women also made their way to the city — despite being barred from studying at the Art Academy until the 1920s. They sought private instruction, built professional networks, and developed individual strategies to pursue their careers. Some overcame significant obstacles; others disappeared from public view — or were never recognized at all — like Amalie Bensinger, Minna Heeren, and Magda Kröner.
The result of a multi-year research project, this exhibition is also a self-critical reflection on the museum's own collecting history. It invites visitors to reconsider art history — to see it as more diverse, more inclusive, and ultimately more complete.
Curator: Kathrin DuBois, Head of the Painting Collection up to 1900, Kunstpalast
