Ernst Barlach. Facets of Love at the Edwin Scharff Museum: Experience Art and Humanity in Neu-Ulm

Discovering Ernst Barlach anew: An exhibition about love, humanity, and expressiveness

The Edwin Scharff Museum in Neu-Ulm highlights Ernst Barlach. Facets of Love, one of the most significant artists of German Expressionism. The special exhibition opens a view of a work in which love does not appear as a mere feeling, but as an existential force between closeness, compassion, longing, and despair.

Barlach's Art between Sculpture and Graphic

Ernst Barlach, sculptor, draftsman, and author, is considered one of the defining voices of modernity. His figures often seem collected, quiet, and internally tense. It is precisely in this reduction that an intense contemplation of the work unfolds: body postures, hands, faces, and spaces speak with a quiet but urgent language. The exhibition shows how Barlach explores the human experience in all its tensions through plastic and graphic works.

Love as a Theme of Modernity

The presentation follows Barlach's perspective on romantic love, maternal love, altruistic love, and divine love, but also on the darker sides of dependence and exploitation. Selected exhibits and poetic texts open an art-historically dense approach to a theme that can often be read as a mirror of societal upheavals in modernity. Thus, an exhibition is created that not only informs but offers an aesthetic experience of great depth.

A Museum that Takes Mediation Seriously

The Edwin Scharff Museum combines an art museum and a children's museum under one roof. In addition to the special exhibition, tours, an art-historical walk, a literary walk, and a workshop complement the program. This turns the visit into a vibrant access to cultural education that appeals to different age groups and strengthens the dialogue between art, language, and the present.

Exhibition Atmosphere and Visitor Experience

The spaces at Petrusplatz create the right setting for the concentrated observation of sculpture, drawing, and printmaking. Those who see Barlach's works in their original form experience the special tension between material, form, and inner movement. It is precisely this exhibition atmosphere that makes the visit an impressive art experience that lingers long after.

Practical Information for the Visit

The special exhibition runs from 23.05.2026 to 04.10.2026 at the Edwin Scharff Museum in Neu-Ulm. According to the museum, the standard admission prices apply; admission is free on Wednesdays. Tours and accompanying programs are partially bookable separately and should be arranged in advance.

Conclusion: Ernst Barlach. Facets of Love opens a clever, sensual, and touching access to a great artist of modernity. Anyone who wants to not only read art history but experience it should definitely visit this exhibition live.

Official Channels of Edwin Scharff Museum:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinscharffmuseum/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC56EEA0ycy92IfBjfvNytTw
• Website: https://edwinscharffmuseum.de/

Sources:

• Edwin Scharff Museum - Ernst Barlach. Facets of Love
• Edwin Scharff Museum - Visit, Admission, Directions and Accessibility
• Edwin Scharff Museum - Imprint and Social Media
• Edwin Scharff Museum - Digital Services and YouTube
• Ernst Barlach - The Artist, official context
• SWR Culture - Ernst Barlach surprises with his Facets of Love
• Museums in Bavaria - Ernst Barlach. Facets of Love