Four Walls - Audio Guide

Official audioguide for the special exhibition „Art Within Four Walls. Jewish Families and Their Collections in Leipzig“ in Museum der bildenden Künste Leipzig (30 September 2026–31 January 2027). The audioguide is available in English, German and Einfache Sprache (German Plain Language). The exhibition “Art Within Four Walls. Jewish Families and Their Collections in Leipzig” (30 September 2026–31 January 2027) presents paintings, sculptures, and works on paper from the private collections of eleven Leipzig families. They all had personal ties to the Museum der bildenden Künste (MdbK), were actively involved in cultural associations and clubs, and formed a closely interconnected network united by shared interests. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Leipzig was an economically and culturally prosperous metropolis. Middle-class families played an important role in the city’s vibrant cultural life. They were active in cultural associations, supported Leipzig’s museums and assembled extensive art collections. Under National Socialism, some of these families were classified as Jewish on the basis of the Nuremberg Laws and were persecuted, deprived of their rights, expelled or murdered. The contribution of these families has largely been forgotten to this day. For the first time, the MdbK is honouring the outstanding contribution of Jewish families to the fine arts in Leipzig with an exhibition. The collections of the MdbK comprise photographs, paintings, prints, installations, media works, sculptures, and drawings spanning eight centuries, predominantly from European art history. A particular focus is on twentieth- and twenty-first-century art from Leipzig and its place within an international context. Alongside its permanent exhibitions, which are free to visit, the MdbK presents a diverse programme of temporary exhibitions. Participatory activities, events, and projects encourage interaction and engagement. The MdbK positions itself as an inclusive museum that critically engages with discrimination.