Stephan Melzl Featured in Major Group Exhibition at Bucerius Kunst Forum in Hamburg
Visitors following contemporary art developments in Basel can look forward to new international exposure for local talent, as artist Stephan Melzl—represented by the Nicolas Krupp Gallery—takes part in a prominent museum exhibition. The Bucerius Kunst Forum in Hamburg hosts the extensive group presentation Kids! Between Representation and Reality (Kinder, Kinder!), running from 28 November 2025 through 6 April 2026.
Exploring the Changing Portrayal of Childhood in Art
The exhibition examines how societal values, norms, and changing perspectives are reflected through depictions of children from the 16th to the 21st century. Spanning six distinct chapters, the showcase brings together a diverse medium of paintings, photographs, works on paper, media art, and sculptures.
The curation traces the evolution of the theme from early representations of the Virgin Mary and Child to aristocratic portraits designed to reinforce dynastic power. It highlights historical shifts—such as children depicted as miniature adults in armor, the playful aesthetic of the portrait historié, and 17th-century Dutch and Spanish genre paintings portraying young figures from varied economic backgrounds.
Over the centuries, the understanding of childhood shifted dramatically, moving away from rigid adult expectations toward a concept where children could develop on their own terms. Today, themes of play, boundary-testing, togetherness, and exploration remain central pictorial motifs in the visual arts.
A Diverse Historical and Contemporary Dialogue
The sweeping group show places historical masterpieces in conversation with modern and contemporary works. Alongside contributions featuring Stephan Melzl, the exhibition includes pieces by celebrated figures across art history, such as Titian, Anthony van Dyck, Thomas Lawrence, Joshua Reynolds, Gerrit van Honthorst, François Boucher, Paula Modersohn-Becker, Oskar Kokoschka, Gerhard Richter, Rineke Dijkstra, and Nobuyoshi Araki.
To discover more local galleries, current exhibitions, and upcoming cultural highlights across the city, explore the city guides available on Musemap (musemap.art). You can easily browse current exhibitions, search for specific museums, or plan your itinerary using the interactive map view.
