New acquisition of a sculpture by Berlinde De Bruyckere

The Hamburger Kunsthalle is delighted with its latest acquisition: the sculpture Zonder Titel [Untitled], 1993 (1993) by the internationally renowned Belgian artist Berlinde De Bruyckere, acquired with funds from the HERMANN REEMTSMA FOUNDATION. 

Berlinde De Bruyckere (born 1964, lives and works in Ghent, Belgium) is one of the most renowned contemporary sculptors. Her artistic work focuses on the major themes of human existence: closeness and distance, love and suffering, vulnerability and resilience. Accordingly, the artist employs materials in her sculptures that can be interpreted in an ambivalent way. In the case of Zonder Titel, 1993, it is a used blanket: it symbolises protection, security and warmth, as well as hardship, illness and concealment. Fascinating and eerie at the same time, the larger-than-life figurative sculpture stalks on stilts made of old fire extinguishers, its teetering movement becomes a thrilling balancing act.

The significant new acquisition is on display from now until the end of July 2026 in the atrium of the Galerie der Gegenwart.
This early sculpture by the artist complements her sculpture Arcangelo II, 2020 (2020), which is on display in the Old Masters galleries since 2021. In reference to the figure of an ›archangel‹ this work depicts a figure almost entirely covered by a blanket of wax and animal hair, balancing between falling and flying, and touching on current themes such as care, empathy, and universal suffering.

The HERMANN REEMTSMA FOUNDATION has been a key partner of the Hamburger Kunsthalle for many decades, enabling significant acquisitions, important restorations, as well as research and scientific projects related to the Hamburger Kunsthalle's collection.

Prof. Dr Alexander Klar, Director of the Hamburger Kunsthalle: »We owe the addition of another significant sculpture by this internationally renowned artist to our collection to the generous support of the HERMANN REEMTSMA FOUNDATION. The diverse works of contemporary female sculptors form an important part of the Hamburger Kunsthalle's collection, which has been continuously developed and expanded in recent years by the Head of Contemporary Art, Brigitte Kölle. The fact that Berlinde De Bruyckere has transferred to us ownership of an early sculpture, one that plays such a central role in her oeuvre that she had previously been unwilling to part with it, is both a sign of trust and appreciation. This is of great value to us – after all, the Hamburger Kunsthalle, as a museum for the public, can only flourish through the commitment of artists and patrons.«

Dr Sebastian Giesen, Managing Director of the HERMANN REEMTSMA FOUNDATION: »The recent exhibition by Berlinde De Bruyckere at the Ernst Barlach Haus electrified us: a striking and stirring dialogue with our associated artist. De Bruyckere's ambivalent work, oscillating between forcefulness and delicacy, revolves around existential themes of human existence – and is thus connected to Barlach. The early sculpture Zonder Titel, 1993 (1993) was also on display. It serves as a bridge to spectacular works such as Arcangelo II, 2020 (2020) in the Hamburger Kunsthalle, which brought De Bruyckere international renown. We were therefore pleased to comply with Brigitte Kölle's request to permanently bring these two impressive major works together in the Hamburger Kunsthalle.«