The myth of Adam and Eve, which has motivic parallels to myths of the older religions Judaism and Islam, was used for centuries in the Christian-influenced world as an argument for the inferior position of women, since they needed guidance. Eve's thirst for knowledge, which is clearly formulated in the Bible text and which Adam apparently did not have, was ignored by the male-dominated church. Actually, however, the myth is probably an explanation for why there are famines, diseases and pain: Man's stubbornness is to blame. They transgress God's commandments again and again. Among other things, with the Flood, which only Noah and his family survived, God tried to give sinful humanity a fresh start, but human nature does not change. Now an exhibition at the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn bears the culturally complex title »Adam, Eve and the Serpent«. Erika and Rolf Hoffmann began their collection of innovative, contemporary artworks in the 1960s, each of which dealt with current social developments and philosophical discussions. To a large extent, these are timeless, multi-layered and also enigmatic, as the title of the exhibition suggests.
Works from the Hoffmann Collection in »Adam, Eve and the Serpent« at the Bundeskunsthalle Bonn
The »Fall of Man« is considered one of the most powerful myths in human history, dealing with existential questions of human life. An exhibition of contemporary art opening on October 29, 2021, partially transfers the context of the myth to 20th-century artworks that have lost none of their relevance.
Erika and Rolf Hoffmann, who died in 2001, were in close contact with the artists from the beginning of their collecting activities. In this way, an individual collection developed that is determined by themes such as transience, corporeality, and radicality in all established art genres. With around 150 selected works on display until February 13, 2022, the Bundeskunsthalle Bonn offers a comprehensive insight into an important collection. The artists on display include the likes of Yayoi Kusama, Andy Warhol, Wolfgang Tillmans, Ernesto Neto, Frank Stella and Monica Bonvicini.
Accompanying the exhibition, a free symposium on the importance of donations from private collections to the public will be held on November 19 and 20. The Hoffmann Collection, for example, was donated to the Dresden State Art Collections in 2018. Registrations are accepted by email to the Bundeskunsthalle.
Dive deeper into the art world
Collecting as a Mirror of Time
With this exhibition, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art examines how part of its collection developed: Collecting Impressionism at LACMA opens on December 21.
Golden times: The Fuggers as patrons of the arts
On the 500th anniversary of Jakob Fugger's death on December 30, the Schaezlerpalais is commemorating him as a patron of the arts: the wealthy merchant family commissioned numerous artists of their time. The exhibition Art’s Rich Heritage: Jakob Fugger and his Legacy runs until April 12, 2026, in Augsburg.
