"Russian Modernism: Cross-Currents of German and Russian Art, 1907-1917" is the first major museum exhibition in the United States devoted to modern figurative art created by artists from Russia and Germany during the early 20th century. The exhibition examines the radical modernist movements in in both countries, focusing on the activities of the German Expressionist groups Brücke (Bridge) and the Blaue Reiter (Blue Rider), and their Russian counterparts. The development of these groups was parallel and often intersected.

Russian and German modern artists shared an interest in the directness and simplicity of urban and rural folk traditions. Common subjects are peasants and workers, scenes from the cabaret and circus, and urban life juxtaposed with the urban metropolis. While Russian artists looked inward at forms of popular culture, and drew inspiration from France, German artists were inspired by their engagement with ethnographic arts.

Approximately 90 works are on display and the exhibition is divided into six thematic groupings: Urban Scenes; Still-Lifes; Landscapes; Nudes; Portraits; and Abstraction. This application features audio interviews with the exhibition’s curator, Dr. Konstantin Akinsha, and commentary from the director of the Neue Galerie New York, Renée Price.

"Russian Modernism: Cross-Currents of German and Russian Art, 1907-1917"
is on view at:

Neue Galerie New York
1048 Fifth Avenue at 86th Street, New York, NY 10028
May 14, 2015 – August, 31, 2015