Bozar
20 sept. ‘24 → 19 jan. ‘25
This autumn, Bozar is devoting a major exhibition to one of the most important artist-
couples in art history: Hans/Jean Arp and Sophie Taeuber-Arp, two central figures of
20th-century abstract art. With over 250 works, the exhibition offers an overview of their
extremely varied artistic oeuvre, encompassing painting, sculpture, drawing, textile,
design and literature. This is the largest retrospective devoted to the Arp and Taeuber-
Arp couple in 35 years.
“From the moment they met in Zurich in 1915, Hans/Jean Arp and Sophie Taeuber-Arp shared
the same conception of art, namely that there is no hierarchy between the ‘fine arts’ and the
applied arts, between major and minor art, between the visual and the functional,” explains
Walburga Krupp, curator of the exhibition.
Zoë Gray, Director of Exhibitions at Bozar, points out that “Neither Arp nor Taeuber-Arp
allowed their creativity to be bounded by strict disciplines. Indeed, they were ahead of their
time in embracing trans-disciplinarity. That's what makes their work so relevant to us today.”
The exhibition at Bozar is a unique opportunity to rediscover the biomorphic forms, collages
and sculptures of Hans/Jean Arp, as well as the impressive abstract, colourful and
geometric work of Sophie Taeuber-Arp. ‘While during her lifetime she met with international
recognition and commercial success, Taeuber-Arp’s legacy was overshadowed by Arp’s in
the decades following her death, despite his attempts to the contrary recalls Zoë Gray. ‘It is
only in recent years that Taeuber-Arp’s importance has been recognised by institutions and
art historians. This exhibition presents the two artists as equals, tracing the development of
their practices as friends, lovers and partners.”
In addition to their individual artistic creations, the exhibition also
presents the works they produced together, four-handed, from
the very beginning of their relation until Sophie Taeuber-Arp's
untimely death in 1943.\
Walburga Krupp adds: “What distinguishes them from other
artist couples is that they didn't just work together on projects or
commissions. At the end of the 1930s, they also created works
known as ‘duo-works’, in which their mutual influence is
palpable and individuality dissolves. This is what makes the
work of this pair of artists so special.” The exhibition offers a rich overview of the artistic output of the
Arp & Taeuber-Arp couple. More than 250 works (230 paintings,
sculptures, collages, drawings, textiles, jewellery, reliefs; 70
photographs, books, archive documents, etc.) from over 75
international museums, foundations and private collections have
been brought together at Bozar for the occasion.
Exceptional
European and American loans are coming form MoMA, Tate, Kunstmuseum Basel, Kunsthaus
Zürich, Fondation Arp (Clamart), Fondazione Marguerite Arp (Locarno), Stiftung Arp e.V.,
Berlin/Rolandswerth, Yale University Art Gallery, etc.
Some fifty works in the show have rarely been shown before, and some
are being exhibited for the very first time, including an embroidery by
Sophie Taeuber-Arp from c. 1920, now at the Museum für Gestaltung in
Zurich, which has been restored especially for the exhibition. Another
work that will be shown for the first time is Arp’s watercolour Man and
Woman (1928) - used for the exhibition's campaign image – coming from
a private Belgian collection.
This link with Belgium is no coincidence, since the first international
breakthrough and commercial success for Hans/Jean Arp came in
Brussels, at exhibitions at the gallery L'Époque (May 1928) and the gallery
Le Centaure (Nov 1928). Almost 100 years later, some of his works are
reunited in the Bozar exhibition in Brussels.
The exhibition is curated by Bozar & Walburga
Some fifty works in the show have rarely been shown before, and some
are being exhibited for the very first time, including an embroidery by
Sophie Taeuber-Arp from c. 1920, now at the Museum für Gestaltung in
Zurich, which has been restored especially for the exhibition. Another
work that will be shown for the first time is Arp’s watercolour Man and
Woman (1928) - used for the exhibition's campaign image – coming from
a private Belgian collection.
This link with Belgium is no coincidence, since the first international
breakthrough and commercial success for Hans/Jean Arp came in
Brussels, at exhibitions at the gallery L'Époque (May 1928) and the gallery
Le Centaure (Nov 1928). Almost 100 years later, some of his works are
reunited in the Bozar exhibition in Brussels.
The exhibition is curated by Bozar & Walburga Krupp, one of the leading experts on the life
and work of Sophie Taeuber-Arp. She co-curated the exhibition ‘Sophie Taeuber-Arp: Living
Abstraction’ at the Kunstmuseum Basel, Tate Modern in London and MoMA in New York in
2021-2022. After Bozar, the exhibition will travel to the Henie Onstad Kunstsenter in
Høvikodden (near Oslo), Norway, where it will be on show from 20 February to 11 Mayfrom over 75
international museums, foundations and private collections have
been brought together at Bozar for the occasion. Exceptional
European and American loans are coming form MoMA, Tate, Kunstmuseum Basel, Kunsthaus
Zürich, Fondation Arp (Clamart), Fondazione Marguerite Arp (Locarno), Stiftung Arp e.V.,
Berlin/Rolandswerth, Yale University Art Gallery, etc.
EN | Hans/Jean Arp, Untitled, c. 1916, ink and pencil on paper, 19.5 x 23.7 cm. Fondazione Marguerite Arp, Locarno. © SABAM Belgium 2024, photo: Carlo Reguzzi. | |
FR | Hans/Jean Arp, Sans titre, vers 1916, encre et crayon sur papier, 19,5 x 23,7 cm. Fondazione Marguerite Arp, Locarno. © SABAM Belgium 2024, photo : Carlo Reguzzi. | |
NL | Hans/Jean Arp, Zonder titel, ca. 1916, inkt en potlood op papier, 19,5 x 23,7 cm. Fondazione Marguerite Arp, Locarno. © SABAM Belgium 2024, foto: Carlo Reguzzi. |
EN | Hans/Jean Arp, Chair and Bottle, 1926, paint on cardboard, 23 x 30 cm. Stiftung Arp e.V., Berlin/Rolandswerth. © SABAM Belgium 2024. | |
FR | Hans/Jean Arp, Chaise et Bouteille, 1926, peinture sur carton, 23 x 30 cm. Stiftung Arp e.V., Berlin/Rolandswerth. © SABAM Belgium 2024. | |
NL | Hans/Jean Arp, Stoel en fles, 1926, beschilderd karton, 23 x 30 cm. Stiftung Arp e.V., Berlin/Rolandswerth. © SABAM Belgium 2024. |
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EN | Hans/Jean Arp, Man and Woman, c. 1928, watercolour and pencil on paper, 22.5 x 30.5 cm. Private collection. © SABAM Belgium 2024, photo: Fabien de Cugnac. | |
FR | Hans/Jean Arp, Homme et femme, vers 1928, aquarelle et mine de plomb sur papier, 22,5 x 30,5 cm. Collection privée. © SABAM Belgium 2024, photo : Fabien de Cugnac. | |
NL | Hans/Jean Arp, Man en vrouw, ca. 1928, waterverf en potlood op papier, 22,5 x 30,5 cm. Privéverzameling. © SABAM Belgium 2024, foto: Fabien de Cugnac. |
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EN | Hans/Jean Arp, Untitled (Rug), c. 1930, wool (manufactured by Myrbor), 198.1 x 151.1 cm. The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Fund, 1939. © SABAM Belgium 2024, photo: 2024©Photo Scala, Florence/The Museum of Modern Art, New York. | |
FR | Hans/Jean Arp, Sans titre (Tapis), vers 1930, laine (fabriqué par Myrbor), 198,1 x 151,1 cm. The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Fund, 1939. © SABAM Belgium 2024, photo : 2024©Photo Scala, Florence/The Museum of Modern Art, New York. | |
NL | Hans/Jean Arp, Zonder titel (Tapijt), c. 1930, wol (vervaardigd door Myrbor), 198,1 x 151,1 cm. The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Fund, 1939. © SABAM Belgium 2024, foto: 2024©Photo Scala, Florence/The Museum of Modern Art, New York. |
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EN | Hans/Jean Arp, Leaves IV, 1930, paint on wood, 19 x 34 cm. Stiftung Arp e.V., Berlin/Rolandswerth. © SABAM Belgium 2024. | |
FR | Hans/Jean Arp, Feuilles IV, 1930, peinture sur bois, 19 x 34 cm. Stiftung Arp e.V., Berlin/Rolandswerth. © SABAM Belgium 2024. | |
NL | Hans/Jean Arp, Bladeren IV, 1930, beschilderd hout, 19 x 34 cm. Stiftung Arp e.V., Berlin/Rolandswerth. © SABAM Belgium 2024. |
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EN | Hans/Jean Arp, Composition, c. 1929, wool (woven by Alice Frey-Amsler), 69 x 139 cm. Arp Museum Bahnhof Rolandseck, Remagen, Germany. © SABAM Belgium 2024, photo: Mick Vincenz. | |
FR | Hans/Jean Arp, Composition, vers 1929, laine (tissé par Alice Frey-Amsler), 69 x 139 cm. Arp Museum Bahnhof Rolandseck, Remagen, Allemagne. © SABAM Belgium 2024, photo : Mick Vincenz. | |
NL | Hans/Jean Arp, Compositie, ca. 1929, wol (geweven door Alice Frey-Amsler), 69 x 139 cm. Arp Museum Bahnhof Rolandseck, Remagen, Duitsland. © SABAM Belgium 2024, foto: Mick Vincenz. |
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EN | Hans/Jean Arp, Head with Annoying Objects, (1933), bronze (3/5, 1971), 23 x 34 x 30 cm. Stiftung Arp e.V., Berlin/Rolandswerth. © SABAM Belgium 2024. | |
FR | Hans/Jean Arp, Trois objets désagréables sur une figure, (1933), bronze (3/5, 1971), 23 x 34 x 30 cm. Stiftung Arp e.V., Berlin/Rolandswerth. © SABAM Belgium 2024. | |
NL | Hans/Jean Arp, Hoofd met drie onaangename objecten, (1933), brons (3/5, 1971), 23 x 34 x 30 cm. Stiftung Arp e.V., Berlin/Rolandswerth. © SABAM Belgium 2024. |
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EN | Hans/Jean Arp, The little prince, 1963, collage on painted cardboard (with a fragment of a watercolour by Sophie Taeuber), 68.5 x 23 cm. Fondazione Marguerite Arp, Locarno. © SABAM Belgium 2024. | |
FR | Hans/Jean Arp, Le petit prince, 1963, collage sur carton peint (avec un fragment d'aquarelle de Sophie Taeuber), 68,5 x 23 cm. Fondazione Marguerite Arp, Locarno. © SABAM Belgium 2024. | |
NL | Hans/Jean Arp, De kleine prins, 1963, collage op beschilderd karton (met een fragment van een aquarel door Sophie Taeuber), 68,5 x 23 cm. Fondazione Marguerite Arp, Locarno. © SABAM Belgium 2024. |
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EN | Hans/Jean Arp, Poupée, 1962, paint on wood, 26.5 × 7.8 × 3.5 cm. Fondazione Marguerite Arp, Locarno. © SABAM Belgium 2024. | |
FR | Hans/Jean Arp, Poupée, 1962, peinture sur bois, 26,5 × 7,8 × 3,5 cm. Fondazione Marguerite Arp, Locarno. © SABAM Belgium 2024. | |
NL | Hans/Jean Arp, Poupée, 1962, beschilderd hout, 26,5 × 7,8 × 3,5 cm. Fondazione Marguerite Arp, Locarno. © SABAM Belgium 2024. |
WORKS SOPHIE TAEUBER-ARP
ARP24_157
EN | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Embroidery (Vertical-Horizontal Composition), c. 1917, cotton on canvas, 17 x 11.5 cm. Private collection, on long-term loan to the Aargauer Kunsthaus Aarau. © Photo: Peter Schälchli. | |
FR | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Broderie (Composition verticale-horizontale), vers 1917, coton sur toile, 17 x 11,5 cm. Collection privée, en prêt à long terme à l’Aargauer Kunsthaus Aarau. © Photo : Peter Schälchli. | |
NL | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Borduurwerk (Verticale-horizontale compositie), ca. 1917, katoen op doek, 17 x 11,5 cm. Privéverzameling, in langdurige bruikleen aan Aargauer Kunsthaus Aarau. © Foto: Peter Schälchli. |
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EN | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Portrait H[ans] A[rp], 1918, oil on wood, height: 25 cm, diam.: 9 cm. Private collection. | |
FR | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Portrait H[ans] A[rp], 1918, huile sur bois, hauteur : 25 cm, diam. : 9 cm. Collection privée. | |
NL | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Portret H[ans] A[rp], 1918, olieverf op hout, hoogte: 25 cm, diam.: 9 cm. Privéverzameling. |
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| EN | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Guards (marionette for King Stag) (copy 2), 1918 (copy 2: 1993), mixed media, 56 × 18 × 18 cm. Museum für Gestaltung Zürich , Decorative Arts Collection, ZHdK. © Photo: Umberto Romito & Ivan Šuta, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Decorative Arts Collection, ZHdK.
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FR | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Gardes (marionnette pour Le Roi Cerf) (copie 2), 1918 (copie 2 : 1993), techniques mixtes, 56 × 18 × 18 cm. Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Collection Arts décoratifs, ZHdK. © Photo : Umberto Romito & Ivan Šuta, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Collection Arts décoratifs, ZHdK.
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NL | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Bewakers (marionet voor Koning Hert) (kopie 2), 1918 (kopie 2: 1993), mixed media, 56 × 18 × 18 cm. Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Collectie Decoratieve Kunsten, ZHdK. © Photo: Umberto Romito & Ivan Šuta, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Collectie Decoratieve Kunsten, ZHdK.
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| EN | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Deramo, The King (marionette for King Stag) (copy), 1918 (copy: 1989), mixed media, 60 x 15 x 9 cm. Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Decorative Arts Collection, ZHdK. © Photo: Umberto Romito & Ivan Šuta, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Decorative Arts Collection, ZHdK.
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FR | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Deramo, Le Roi (marionnette pour Le Roi Cerf) (copie), 1918 (copie : 1989), techniques mixtes, 60 x 15 x 9 cm. Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Collection Arts décoratifs, ZHdK. © Photo : Umberto Romito & Ivan Šuta, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Collection Arts décoratifs, ZHdK.
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NL | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Deramo, De Koning (marionet voor Koning Hert) (kopie), 1918 (kopie: 1989), mixed media, 60 x 15 x 9 cm. Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Collectie Decoratieve Kunsten, ZHdK. © Foto: Umberto Romito & Ivan Šuta, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, Collectie Decoratieve Kunsten, ZHdK.
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EN | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Siena, Houses, Animals, gouache and pencil on brown paper, 18.7 x 19.5 cm. Etienne Bréton / Saint-Honoré Art Consulting. | |
FR | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Sienne, maisons, animaux, gouache et crayon sur papier brun, 18,7 x 19,5 cm. Etienne Bréton / Saint-Honoré Art Consulting. | |
NL | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Siena, huizen, dieren, gouache en potlood op bruin papier, 18,7 x 19,5 cm. Etienne Bréton / Saint-Honoré Art Consulting. |
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EN | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Quadrangular Strokes, Evoking and Framing Figures, 1920, gouache and pencil on paper on board. Bischofberger Collection, Männedorf-Zürich, Switzerland. | |
FR | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Taches quadrangulaires évoquant et encadrant des personnages, 1920, gouache et crayon sur papier sur carton. Collection Bischofberger, Männedorf-Zürich, Suisse. | |
NL | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Vierhoekige strepen die figuren oproepen en omlijsten, 1920, gouache en potlood op papier op karton. Collectie Bischofberger, Männedorf-Zürich, Zwitserland. |
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EN | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Tapestry, 1924, wool and cotton, 40 x 50 cm. Fondazione Marguerite Arp, Locarno. © Photo: Roberto Pellegrini, Bellinzona. | |
FR | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Tapisserie, 1924, laine et coton, 40 x 50 cm. Fondazione Marguerite Arp, Locarno. © Photo : Roberto Pellegrini, Bellinzona. | |
NL | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Wandtapijt, 1924, wol en katoen, 40 x 50 cm. Fondazione Marguerite Arp, Locarno. © Foto: Roberto Pellegrini, Bellinzona. |
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EN | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Aubette 198 (design for three walls of the Aubette Bar in the Aubette, Strasbourg, France), 1927, gouache, metallic paint, pencil, ink and coloured ink on diazotype on board, 22 x 73 cm. Musée d'Art moderne et contemporain de Strasbourg, France. © Musées de la ville de Strasbourg, M. Bertola. | |
FR | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Aubette 198 (projet pour trois murs de l’Aubette-Bar à l’Aubette, Strasbourg, France), 1927, gouache, peinture métallique, crayon, encre et encre de couleur sur diazotype sur carton, 22 x 73 cm. Musée d'Art moderne et contemporain de Strasbourg, France. © Musées de la ville de Strasbourg, M. Bertola. | |
NL | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Aubette 198 (ontwerp voor drie muren van de Aubette Bar in de Aubette, Straatsburg, Frankrijk), 1927, gouache, metallic verf, potlood, inkt en gekleurde inkt op diazotype op karton, 22 x 73 cm. Musée d'Art moderne et contemporain de Strasbourg, Frankrijk. © Musées de la ville de Strasbourg, M. Bertola. |
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EN | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Circle Picture, 1931, oil on canvas, 64.5 x 92 cm. Kunstmuseum Basel, inv. no. G 1968.105, Gift of Marguerite Arp-Hagenbach 1968. © Bilddaten gemeinfrei - Kunstmuseum Basel, photo: Martin P. Bühler. | |
FR | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Peinture à cercles, 1931, huile sur toile, 64,5 x 92 cm. Kunstmuseum Basel, n° inv. G 1968.105, Don de Marguerite Arp-Hagenbach 1968. © Bilddaten gemeinfrei - Kunstmuseum Basel, photo : Martin P. Bühler. | |
NL | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Cirkelbeeld, 1931, olieverf op doek, 64,5 x 92 cm. Kunstmuseum Basel, inv.nr. G 1968.105, Schenking van Marguerite Arp-Hagenbach 1968. © Bilddaten gemeinfrei - Kunstmuseum Basel, foto: Martin P. Bühler. |
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EN | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Relief, 1937-38, oil on wood. Private collection. | |
FR | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Relief, 1937-1938, huile sur bois. Collection privée. | |
NL | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Reliëf, 1937-1938, olieverf op hout. Privéverzameling. |
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EN | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Gradation, 1934, oil on canvas, 65 x 50 cm. Private collection, Switzerland. © Photo: Luis Lourenço. | |
FR | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Échelonnement, 1934, huile sur toile, 65 x 50 cm. Collection privée, Suisse. © Photo : Luis Lourenço. | |
NL | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Gradatie, 1934, olieverf op doek, 65 x 50 cm. Privéverzameling, Zwitserland. © Foto: Luis Lourenço. |
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EN | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Head, 1937, wood, height: 38.9 cm, diam.: 19.7 cm. Yale University Art Gallery, Gift of Jean Arp in memory of Sophie Taeuber-Arp. | |
FR | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Tête, 1937, bois, hauteur: 38,9 cm, diam.: 19,7 cm. Yale University Art Gallery, Don de Jean Arp à la mémoire de Sophie Taeuber-Arp. | |
NL | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Hoofd, 1937, hout, hoogte: 38,9 cm, diam.: 19,7 cm. Yale University Art Gallery, Schenking van Jean Arp ter nagedachtenis aan Sophie Taeuber-Arp. |
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EN | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Movement of Coloured Lines, 1940, coloured pencil and pencil on paper, 26.3 x 34.5 cm. Stiftung Arp e.V., Berlin/Rolandswerth. | |
FR | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Mouvement de lignes en couleurs, 1940, crayon de couleur et crayon sur papier, 26,3 x 34,5 cm. Stiftung Arp e.V., Berlin/Rolandswerth. | |
NL | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Beweging van gekleurde lijnen, 1940, kleurpotlood en potlood op papier, 26,3 x 34,5 cm. Stiftung Arp e.V., Berlin/Rolandswerth. |
RP24_103
| EN | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Geometric Construction, 1942, ink, pencil, and gouache on paper, 25.2 x 20.9 cm. Stiftung Arp e.V., Berlin/Rolandswerth.
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FR | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Construction géométrique¸1942, encre, crayon et gouache sur papier, 25,2 x 20,9 cm. Stiftung Arp e.V., Berlin/Rolandswerth.
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NL | Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Geometrische constructie, 1942, inkt, potlood en gouache op papier, 25,2 x 20,9 cm. Stiftung Arp e.V., Berlin/Rolandswerth.
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