In order to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Joseph Kutter's (1894-1941) death, the MNHA pays homage to the most renowned Luxembourg artist of the 20th century.
Born in Luxembourg in 1894, he was influenced first by German Expressionism during his studies before turning to French and Belgian Art. He goes back to his native country in 1924 where he becomes a founding member of the Luxembourg Secession in 1927.
His landscapes, still-lifes and portraits allow us to explore the artistic evolution of one of the most important European Expressionists of the interwar years.
The landscapes reflect the artist's journeys through Bavaria, Italy, southern France, Corsica and Holland. Kutter's monumental views of Luxembourg and Clervaux, painted for the Luxembourg pavilion at the 1937 Wold Fair in Paris, are again on display. During this time Kutter falls incurably ill. He deals with his pain in a series of Clowns.
A number of works on display highlight his talent as a draughtsman. The human figure occupies a central place in his oeuvre. Kutter's representations of women, children, old men and clowns as well as his self-portraits are clear expressions of his pronounced interest in the human figure and in himself. His talent allows him to interpret and integrate the different artistic influences of his time (Cézanne, Vlaminck, Permeke...).
