Newsletter 2/25: Irma Stern at Brücke Museum Berlin

A selection of Irma Stern’s work is being shown in the exhibition “Irma Stern. A modern artist between Berlin and Cape Town” at the Brücke Museum in Berlin from 13 July to 2 November 2025.

The Irma Stern™ Trust has loaned 14 artworks – ten oil paintings, three works on paper and the Congo Journal – to the Museum for the exhibition. The loan of these paintings is quite fitting, as Irma Stern studied in Berlin and had several important exhibitions in the German capital. Furthermore, the loan of these artworks is in terms of Irma Stern’s wishes as stated in her Will, which called for the promotion of fine art, both within and outside South Africa.

Did you know? Hilda Purwitsky and Roza van Gelderen were personal friends of the artist. Shortly before her death, Hilda Purwitsky donated a portrait of Roza van Gelderen to the UCT Irma Stern™ Museum, under the condition that it would always be hung adjacent to the Museum’s portrait of Hilda – so that they would always be together. Both paitings are part of the exhibition.

The exhibition was opened with numerous visitors and guests from South Africa, and our very own Dr Kathy Wheeler (Irma Stern Trust curator), in conversation with Lisa Hörstmann, was part of the panel discussion held on 13 July.

Did you know that this is Irma’s first solo exhibition in Berlin since 1919?