100 years of New Objectivity: We are now celebrating these 5 groundbreaking artists!

100 years ago, the art term “New Objectivity” was invented in Mannheim - thanks to an exhibition of works that replaced Expressionism and would develop into one of the most famous art movements in Germany. Painted by great artists of the 1920s such as Christian Schad or Otto Dix, George Grosz, Franz Radziwill and Max Beckmann. They all tried to use realistic, precise brushstrokes to draw attention to the social injustices of the 1920s, to political corruption and the consequences of the First World War - as a ruthless analysis of society and its problems.

The exhibition at the time paid homage to her work. But forgot the women! Although numerous artists such as Jeanne Mammen, Hannah Höch and Lotte Laserstein did the same. But not a single one could be seen in the exhibition at that time...

There are several reasons why women have often been underrepresented in this and other major art exhibitions. On the one hand, the art world of the 1920s was clearly male-dominated and women often had less access to training, networks and exhibition opportunities. Women were at full capacity as wives and mothers. There was neither time nor money for a career as an artist. Although the shortage of men was particularly high in the 1920s after the First World War and women were given more freedom. Also professionally. But that didn't change much in terms of perception. Instead, works by female artists simply were not viewed with the same seriousness and appreciation as those of their male counterparts. This had consequences for all exhibitions, because the selection of works was made by male curators and art historians. And they all had their prejudices against female art.

100 years later, the Kunsthalle Mannheim is now also showing women. Although there are not as many as their male colleagues. But they finally get the space they deserve.

She was born in 1890 into a wealthy Berlin family and received extensive art training in Paris, Brussels and Rome, which had a lasting impact on her artistic development. Nevertheless, she always remained loyal to Berlin and is still known today for her nightlife scenes. Her works are often characterized by sharp social commentary and display a mixture of realism and caricature. After the Second World War she created predominantly abstract works.

She was born in Gotha in 1889, studied art in Berlin and initially joined the Dadaists. It wasn't until the 1920s that she began her famous photomontages, which critically questioned society. During the Nazi era she also made her breakthrough in the USA, but she stayed in Berlin and died there in 1976.

Born in 1898 in Prussian Holland, also studied in Berlin and made a name for himself in the Weimar Republic. Her works are sensitive, striking and expressive and are predominantly dedicated to modern women in the 1920s. As a Jew, Lotte Laserstein fled to Sweden in 1937, where, despite initial difficulties, she continued her artistic work and found recognition. She died in Kalmar, Sweden, in 1993. It is only in recent decades that her work has been rediscovered and appreciated. Today she is considered one of the most important portraitists of the 20th century.

she got Born in Hamburg in 1885 and came from a wealthy Jewish merchant family. She studied in Hamburg and spent some time in Paris in the 1910s, where she was inspired by Paul Cézanne, for example. Back in Hamburg, she dedicated herself to portraits with psychological depth, as well as landscapes and still lifes. The Nazis made their living conditions worse. Anita Rée retreated to the island of Sylt and took her own life in December 1933. Her work was forgotten and only rediscovered a few decades ago. Today she is considered one of the most important artists of her time.

She was born in Heidelberg in 1907, studied in Baden and moved to Berlin - the center of art at that time. Her most famous works were created: socially critical, caricaturing and with impressive charisma. During the Nazi era she earned her living by illustrating books. From Chekhov to du Maurier to children's books. In 1963 she lost her left hand and had to continue painting with her right. Her work is still little known today.