Fantastic Women Exhibition online

The Schirn Kunsthalle opened its major exhibition of female surrealist art last spring, and due to the pandemic, its plans had to change rapidly. This year, the online version of this exhibition is outstanding, with an in-depth "digitorial", video tours of the works and backstories of all the artists.

Subtitled “Surreal Worlds from Meret Oppenheim to Frida Kahlo”, Fantastic Women (Fantastische Frauen) has already proved itself as an artistic triumph for Frankfurt.

Women’s contribution to surrealism

While conventional thinking sees women in surrealist art as primarily the subject of male fantasies in the guise of dream creatures, goddesses and devils or, more prosaically, as models, muses and lovers, this exhibition concentrates on women as surrealist artists in their own right.

Image credit: Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, 2020 / Claude Cahun

The women of the surrealist movement often explored the concept of female identity through their work, looking at their own reflections, to present a new dimension to surrealist art that has often been overlooked. Beyond their own sex, female surrealists also examined contemporary political events, literature and non-European myths and religions.

Meret Oppenheim to Frida Kahlo

The exhibition represents a diverse spectrum both in style and content from three decades of surrealist art. More than 260 paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs will be presented along with films by 34 international artists.

The most famous female surrealists, Louise Bourgeois, Frida Kahlo, Leonora Carrington and Meret Oppenheim, will be exhibited alongside exciting lesser-known talents such as Alice Rahon and Kay Sage. The exhibition also reflects on the networks and friendships between the artists in Europe, the USA and Mexico.

Image credit: Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, 2020 / Norbert Miguletz

Visiting Fantastic Women at the SCHIRN

The excitement surrounding this exhibition is likely to make it a very popular visit this spring. That's why the SCHIRN has created such an elaborate online portal. Check out the online exhibition on the Schirn website, where you will also find more information about the artists and a digital tour of the astounding art works. 

Thumb image credit: Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, 2020 / Jochen Littkemann