Die Neue Sachlichkeit / The New Objectivity exhibition catalog

Published March 28, 2025

It is seldom possible to define an art era with just a single term and yet the young Kunsthalle Mannheim (Art Hall) director Gustav F. Hartlaub succeeded in doing exactly that with his exhibition Neue Sachlichkeit in 1925. The term became synonymous with the cultural awakening of the 1920s that reached far beyond art. He describes a clear, sober design in art, architecture and literature – a reaction to the political and social upheavals of this time.

A century later, the Kunsthalle Mannheim is once again dedicating a major exhibition to Die Neue Sachlichkeit. Ein Jahrhundertjubiläum from November 22, 2024 to March 9, 2025. It acknowledges the historical significance, but also critically questions it and adds to it – especially by showcasing the work of artists who were overlooked in 1925.

Deutscher Kunstverlag published a 400-page catalog for the exhibition. The catalog not only presents the most important works, but also provides an insight into the current state of research on New Objectivity.

It was designed by the Berlin designer and typographer Verena Gerlach. For the headlines, captions and body copy of the catalog she chose the fonts Moulin by Sandrine Nugue (Commercial Type) and West by Daniel Perraudin (Fontwerk).

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