Name: Ernst Barlach: Facets of Love
Start: 2026-05-23T02:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-04T02:00:00+02:00
Location: Edwin Scharff Museum / Kunstmuseum

Ernst Barlach in Neu-Ulm: An exhibition about love as a human primal force

The Edwin Scharff Museum presents Ernst Barlach. Facets of Love, an exhibition that does not appear romantic at first glance but delves deeply into the existential dimensions of closeness, longing, maternal love, temptation, and loss. The exhibition runs from 05/23/2026 to 10/04/2026 at the Kunstmuseum in Neu-Ulm and presents Barlach as a sensitive observer of human emotions. ([edwinscharffmuseum.de](https://edwinscharffmuseum.de/))

An artist between sculpture, drawing, and language

Ernst Barlach (1870–1938) is one of the formative artists of German Expressionism. As a sculptor, draftsman, graphic artist, and author, he combined formal condensation with emotional intensity. His works revolve around the human experience, often with a quiet force: body postures, lowered gazes, and reduced forms create an exhibition atmosphere of concentration and inner tension. The museum relates selected exhibits to poetic texts, making visible how Barlach understood love not as a convention but as an existential experience. ([ernst-barlach.de](https://www.ernst-barlach.de/en/the-artist?utm_source=openai))

Facets of Love: Between Longing, Maternal Love, and Empathy

The exhibition brings together works and themes that broaden the concept of love: deep affection of a couple, siren calls, mourning for a beloved person, unconditional love for one's neighbor, as well as scenes of maternal love. This thematic breadth opens an impressive exploration of works and shows how Barlach worked in sculpture and graphic design with psychological depth. Isolated comparisons with works by Edwin Scharff reveal similarities and differences between the two contemporaries. ([museen-in-bayern.de](https://museen-in-bayern.de/ausstellungen/detail/edwin-scharff-museum/ausstellung/16128?uri=%2Fausstellungen%2Fdetail%2Fedwin-scharff-museum%2Fausstellung%2F16128))

Curatorial quality and educational mandate

The curator of the exhibition is Franziska Hell, M.A., from the Ernst Barlach Museums Güstrow. The cooperation with this institution emphasizes the professional authority of the project. At the same time, the Edwin Scharff Museum connects to its educational mandate: The special exhibition will be supplemented by guided tours, an art historical tour, a literary tour, and a writing workshop. This creates a art experience that combines aesthetic experience with cultural education. ([edwinscharffmuseum.de](https://edwinscharffmuseum.de/exhibition/ernstbarlach/))

Accompanying program for more intense encounters

The accompanying program includes, among other things, art at noon, literary tours with Florian L. Arnold, and the workshop calligraphy - the art of writing with Cornelia Reinecke. The formats open the exhibition towards language, sound, and personal design. This connection of exhibition, mediation, and active participation makes the visit particularly appealing for art-interested guests who seek more than a mere tour. ([edwinscharffmuseum.de](https://edwinscharffmuseum.de/exhibition/ernstbarlach/))

Conclusion

Ernst Barlach. Facets of Love is an exhibition for all who want to experience art not only visually but also internally. Those who engage with Barlach's quiet, penetrating formal language encounter an exhibition of great emotional density, art historical relevance, and educational quality. A visit to the Edwin Scharff Museum is worthwhile live, as space, light, and sculpture unleash their full effect there. ([edwinscharffmuseum.de](https://edwinscharffmuseum.de/exhibition/ernstbarlach/))