The Modern Art Collection at the Pinakothek der Moderne has recently received a significant addition: Thanks to a generous donation from the van de Loo Foundation, thirteen works enrich the existing art holdings and complement the Pinakothek's collection of works from the second half of the 20th century. The selection includes works by Miriam Cahn, Jean Dubuffet, Pinot Gallizio, Asger Jorn, Judit Reigl and the Munich artists Hans Matthäus Bachmayer, Heimrad Prem and HP Zimmer. 

A Partnership that made History

The donation marks the culmination of a successful collaboration between the van de Loo Foundation and the Collection of Modern Art at the Pinakothek der Moderne. This partnership was crowned by the exhibition "Only we can de-rubble the world" The van de Loo Foundation which was met with enthusiasm by the public. The exhibition provided a deep insight into the European thinking and the promotion of creative expression, which were at the heart of Otto van de Loo's gallery programme.

Otto van de Loo: A Life Dedicated to Art

Otto van de Loo, the founder of the gallery bearing his name, was a key figure in Munich's art scene. He opened his gallery in 1957 and from the outset, introduced artists who stood for open visual worlds and free thinking. Early on, works from his gallery were acquired by the Bavarian State Painting Collections, with donations following in 1999 and 2014. Despite these successes, van de Loo felt there were gaps in the acquisition policy. These gaps are now being further closed by the current donation.

Asger Jorn: A Closer Look at the Master

A highlight of the donation are the six works by Asger Jorn, which are a spectacular addition to the Pinakothek's collection.These include paintings, ceramics, and works on paper from various phases of the artist's career. Of particular note is the late work "Jedermann" (1972), which was created in Munich and now occupies a central position in the collection. Jorn, a close friend of the van de Loo family, spent a lot of time in Munich, leaving a lasting artistic legacy.

Pinot Gallizio and Radical Art

Another remarkable work included in the donation is Pinot Gallizio's "La sirena e il pirata" (1958). The 17-metre-long roll, once exhibited on Maximilianstraße, is an impressive example of Gallizio's radical approach to art, which challenged the traditional art market. Securing this work for the Pinakothek is a significant achievement and represents an important contribution to the art history of the 20th century.

Filling Gaps: Dubuffet, Reigl, and Cahn

The donation also fills important gaps in the Pinakothek's collection. Jean Dubuffet's work "Noble l'Empire de l'herbe" (1957) complements the collection with another masterpiece of Art Brut. Judit Reigl's "Gesprengtes Rot" (1958) and Miriam Cahn's series "Classical Body Positions Assigned to Prostitutes" (1982) enrich the collection with their powerful and radical expressions, perfectly reflecting the spirit of the van de Loo gallery.

A Legacy That Lives On

The donation includes not only works by international artists but also pieces by Munich-based artists such as Hans Matthäus Bachmayer, Heimrad Prem, and HP Zimmer. Bachmayer's early sculpture "Gnome" (1964) and Zimmer's "Moonbit" (1965) are significant testimonies to the intense artistic discussions that took place at the van de Loo gallery.

Conclusion: A Significant Milestone

This latest donation represents a valuable addition to the Pinakothek der Moderne's collection. The works by Asger Jorn, Pinot Gallizio, Jean Dubuffet, and others contribute to preserving and continuing the artistic heritage of the second half of the 20th century in Munich. This donation is not only a gift to the Pinakothek but also a legacy that underscores the importance of Otto van de Loo and his gallery to the art world.

This donation is a remarkable example of how cultural treasures can be preserved and made accessible to the public through the collaboration of foundations and museums. The Pinakothek der Moderne has gained some invaluable works and will continue to delight visitors with these masterpieces.

The donation includes:  

• Hans Matthäus Bachmayer, Gnom, 1964  
• Miriam Cahn, Klassische Körperhaltungen Huren zugeordnet, 11-teilige Serie, 1982  
• Jean Dubuffet, Noble l'Empire de l'herbe, 1957  
• Pinot Gallizio, La sirena e il pirata, 1958  
• Asger Jorn, Avant les Vacances, 1956  
• Asger Jorn, Jedermann, 1972  
• Asger Jorn, Ohne Titel, 1954 (Keramik)  
• Asger Jorn, Ohne Titel, 1954 (Keramik)  
• Asger Jorn, Le mauvais discours, 1968  
• Asger Jorn, Versenkter Haxenbauer, 1968   
• Heimrad Prem, Dualismus, 1964  
• Judit Reigl, Gesprengtes Rot, 1958  
• HP Zimmer, Moonbit, 1965 

‘Otto van de Loo's achievement in promoting modern art in post-war Munich cannot be valued highly enough. With the generous donation from the van de Loo Foundation, it has been possible to make this achievement more visible in our collection in an outstanding way. Munich and European modernism are closely linked, as works by Asger Jorn and Pinot Gallizio demonstrate. Some artists, however, also build numerous bridges to art history, to Bosch, Rubens or the Expressionists.’  

‘It is a great pleasure for us to donate a comprehensive group of works from the exhibition ‘Only we can de-rubble the world’ to the Modern Art Collection of the Pinakothek der Moderne on the occasion of Otto van de Loo's 100th birthday. The majority of these ‘museum pieces’ are works that caused controversy or simply incomprehension when they were first shown in the van de Loo Gallery at the time of their creation. Judit Reigl, whose work is only now recognised as groundbreaking, painted her large-format pictures on site. Asger Jorn also came to Munich to paint and exchange ideas with others. Even in later years, the gallery remained a hub. These connections are also recognisable in the group of 13 works that are now being made permanently accessible to the public thanks to the donation.’