Four strong women - artists in dialogue

Mathilde Vollmoeller-Purrmann, Hilde Broer, Rose Sommer-Leypold and as a guest Fridel Dethleffs-Edelmann

June 25 to August 27, 2023

Museum and gallery "Lände"
Seestr. 24
88079 Kressbronn at Lake Constance

opening hours
Friday and Saturday 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.,

Sunday 2-5 p.m

Fridel Dethleffs-Edelmann exhibition among other things on the upper floor
Foto: Kees Tillmann

For 20 years, the originals of the works by Fridel Dethleffs-Edelmann could "only" be viewed on the "Galerie Dethleffs" homepage. Now - after 20 years we can fulfill the wishes of many of our collectors to be able to compare the real originals with the photos: Mr. P. Keller, the manager of the landings in Kressbronn, has repeatedly approached me with his friendly wish:

When can we pick up the artworks for the exhibition?

My problem was my illness. Mr. Keller solved the problem himself: He suggested to me: Together with his friend, architect Roland Fakler, and his wife, we will help you to free the works from the transport boxes and bubble wrap. We find the works of Fridel together.

Just a few days later we met in Isny. After about 5 hours, the four of us had found most of the works we were looking for in the tropical heat. Herr Keller had saved his exhibition, but now I wasn't satisfied. I asked my friends and neighbors (Ms. Plaschko, former rector, Mr. Biggel-Plaschko, former rector and her son Jan, a sports teacher) to repeat the whole search operation. All three agreed immediately. And a few days later we had - except for one work - found all the originals we wanted.

I can now invite you to Kressbronn on Lake Constance to enjoy these valuable originals. At first I had started to show all the works here. But that is no longer necessary now. Instead, I'll only feature a few of my favorite works here. I would be very happy if you could make it possible to enjoy all 26 originals in Kressbronn with Mr. Keller. He has been working in Kressbronn for 40 years.

(1) Family portrait Arist, Fridel, Ursula Dethleffs 1935 Oil canvas

(14) Old-fashioned bouquet 1929 mixed media

(6) Black Forest near Blasiwald 1925 oil painting board

An artist's existence as a female life plan was not possible at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century - mostly artistically ambitious women were denied their suitability, their artistic activity was ignored, restricted or prevented. They were denied admission to an academy, a place of teaching, exchange and the first turning point in an artist's life. They had to laboriously develop their talents, professional positioning was hardly possible because social conventions of bourgeois society, in particular the socially ascribed role as wife and mother as well as restrictive cultural and economic constraints prevented this.

Training as part of academic teaching was only possible with the constitutional equality of women in 1919, albeit with restrictions and special provisions. For example, women were not allowed to take part in life drawing and anatomy courses, or only with the consent of their parents.

In the summer of 2023, four artists who have found their way despite all the adversities, "strong women" will be in the limelight in the Lände: Mathilde Vollmoeller-Purrmann (1906, Paris, 1908 Akadémie Matisse), Fridel Dethleffs-Edelmann (1909, Baden State Art School) , Hilde Broer (1924, Cologne State Schools), Rose Sommer-Leypold (1928, Stuttgart Art Academy).

(Quote from: Flyer of the museum and the gallery Lände in Kressbronn.