Name: B{L}OOMING
Start: 2026-05-31T10:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-05-31T18:00:00+02:00

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Exhibition

Eine prachtvolle Blumengirlande aus Rosen, Lilien, Anemonen und anderen farbenfrohen Blüten auf dunklem Hintergrund.A magnificent flower garland of roses, lilies, anemones and other colorful blossoms on a dark background. — © Rheinisches Bildarchiv, Köln

Gemälde einer Gartenlandschaft mit einer Frau in rotem Gewand, umgeben von zwei Kindern und blühenden Pflanzen. Im Hintergrund ist ein formaler Garten mit einer Statue und einem Schloss zu sehen.Painting of a garden landscape with a woman in a red robe, surrounded by two children and flowering plants. A formal garden with a statue and a castle can be seen in the background. — © Rheinisches Bildarchiv, Köln

Das Gemälde von Giovanni Stanchi zeigt eine prächtige Blumengirlande, die ein zentral platziertes Bild der Auferstehung Christi umgibt. Lebhaft gefärbte Blumen harmonieren kunstvoll mit der religiösen Szene.The painting by Giovanni Stanchi shows a magnificent garland of flowers surrounding a centrally placed image of the resurrection of Christ. Vividly colored flowers harmonize artfully with the religious scene. — © Rheinisches Bildarchiv, Köln

Baroque Flower Splendour

With the annual exhibition "B{L}OOMING – Baroque Flower Splendour", the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum is dedicating itself to the fascinating heyday of baroque flower painting. The exhibition showcases masterpieces by artists such as Jan Brueghel the Elder, known as "Blumenbrueghel", Daniel Seghers, Adriaen Coorte, Giovanni Stanchi and Peter Binoit, whose works, sourced from private collections as well as the museum's own holdings, are partly presented to the public for the first time.

Around 1600, flower painting established itself as an independent genre and rapidly gained popularity across Europe. Its compositions of roses, tulips or carnations contain far more than mere aesthetic appeal. The exhibition decodes the profound symbolism depicted in baroque still lifes and portraits, highlighting their social significance and illustrating clearly that flowers not only embody decorative beauty, but also symbolize human values and existential questions such as love, fidelity, faith, and a contemplation on transience.

A specially developed "Flower Trail" extends the perspective beyond the special exhibition into the permanent collection, offering comprehensive insights into the floral allegorical imagery of Flanders, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany. Thus, it opens up a dialogue about art-historical and cultural contexts, continuing the rich allegorical depth of Baroque painting into the present day and encouraging reflection upon existential and ethical values.

Tuesday, the 01.07.2025

10:00 - 18:00 o'clock

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Wednesday, the 02.07.2025

10:00 - 18:00 o'clock

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Thursday, the 03.07.2025

10:00 - 22:00 o'clock

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