Wolfgang Gurlitt. (public domain)

Splendour and Art of the 1920s

After the First World War, hopes for peace were quickly dashed. Economic hardship, political instability, and social unrest characterised the Weimar Republic. Despite everything, Berlin's art scene flourished.

Invitation card. ©Alexandra Cedrino

The Venus Carriage Trial

Four days after being convicted over the "Venus Carriage," Wolfgang Gurlitt invited friends over. Despite the fine, he established himself as a liberal art enthusiast. However, his erotic prints met with resistance.

Arabic bedroom. ©Bildarchiv Foto Marburg

A Unique Apartment

Berlin 1917: While the city suffered from war and hunger, Wolfgang Gurlitt realised his dream of a total work of art in the expressionist style. Together with Max Pechstein, he designed an extravagant gallery.

Fritz Gurlitt. (public domain)

Fritz and Annarella Gurlitt

Ironically, my great-grandparents' marriage ended in a mental asylum. Fritz Gurlitt, an art dealer, died of syphilis in 1893. His wife Annarella then struggled alone against familial rejection.

Wolfgang Gurlitt. ©Alexandra Cedrino

Rescued Modernism

No matter where I go in Berlin or which book I open, I always come across my family: my great-grandfather Fritz and my grandfather Wolfgang Gurlitt. Both shaped Berlin's art scene as art dealers.

Wolfgang Gurlitt. ©Alexandra Cedrino

Wolfgang Gurlitt - Art Dealer

After the First World War, hopes for peace were disappointed. Economic hardship and unrest characterised the Weimar Republic. Yet Berlin's art scene flourished and reflected the upheavals.

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