Düsseldorf 40213
Germany
Vibrant colors, deeply moving themes, and world-famous animal images—the exhibition Franz Marc. The Quest for a Better World at K20 invites visitors to rediscover the life and work of this outstanding artist. The first comprehensive solo exhibition in twenty years offers a unique opportunity to experience 120 masterpieces from all creative phases of Franz Marc’s (1880–1916) career in one place. Highlights of the exhibition include his iconic animal paintings and his striking depictions of nature, which rank among the most famous works of classical modernism.
Thomas Schütte (b. 1954) is one of the world-renowned stars of contemporary art that Düsseldorf has brought forth. Following the highly acclaimed retrospective exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and the Punta della Dogana (Pinault Collection) in Venice (both 2024), the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen will present a solo exhibition dedicated to the Düsseldorf-based artist at K21, conceived and implemented in close collaboration with Schütte, starting November 14, 2026. In addition to his well-known sculptures, such as Vater Staat (Father State) and Mutter Erde (Mother Earth), the exhibition will feature Schütte’s architectural models and, for the first time, provide a comprehensive overview of this central group of works.
With the K21 Global Art Award, the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen presents one of the world’s most highly endowed prizes for contemporary art. On October 8, 2026, the award will be presented for the fourth time in cooperation with the Friends of the Kunstsammlung and with support from the Reydan + Roger Weiss Foundation. The award, endowed with 100,000 euros, honors artists who, through an independent artistic vision, provide new impetus for international contemporary art. Combined with an acquisition for the collection and an exhibition at K21, the award sustainably strengthens the global orientation of the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen.
The 2026 nominees include Monira Al Qadiri (b. 1983 in Dakar, Senegal), biarritzzz (b. 1994 in Fortaleza, Brazil), Julia Phillips (b. 1985 in Hamburg, Germany), Mohammed Z. Rahman (b. 1997 in London, United Kingdom), Juliana dos Santos (b. 1987 in São Paulo, Brazil), WangShui (b. 1986 in Dallas, Texas, USA), Wong Ping (b. 1984 in Hong Kong, China), and Cici Wu (b. 1989 in Beijing, China). The winner of the K21 Global Art Award will be announced in September 2026.
Franz Marc: The Quest for a Better World
K20, September 12, 2026–January 24, 2027
Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf
Press preview: September 10, 2026, from 10am at K20
Press conference: September 10, 2026, 11am at K20
Opening: September 11, 2026, 7–10pmat K20, free admission
The exhibition is a collaboration between the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen in Düsseldorf and the Kunstmuseum Bern.
Providing access to cultural experiences to as many people as possible is the motivation and goal behind the social commitment of the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe. Funding for the exhibition Franz Marc: The Quest for a Better World is provided by the Sparkassen-Kulturstiftung Rheinland, the Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf, and the Savings Banks Cultural Fund of the German Savings Banks Association.
Supported by the Friends of the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen
Media partner for the exhibition:
Weltkunst
K21 Global Art Award
Award ceremony: October 8, 2026, from 7 pm, with an artist talk
K21 Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf
Press talk and preview: October 8, 2026, 11 am at K21
The artist will participate in the press talk.
Media Partner:
frieze
Thomas Schütte
K21, November 14, 2026–April 11, 2027
Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf
Press preview: November 12, 2026, from 10am at K21
Press conference: November 12, 2026, 11am at K21
Opening: November 13, 2026, 7–10pmat K21
The exhibition is made possible by National-Bank AG and is supported by the Art Foundation NRW and the Rhineland Regional Council (LVR).
Free admission on Friday afternoons!
Participants in the German Postcode Lottery make free admission possible every Friday from 3 to 6 pm.
Media partner for the exhibition:
Rheinische Post
Stay connected: Please check our website for regular updates on our program. For further information please contact: presse@kunstsammlung.de
