Gerhard Altenbourg

22 November 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Gerhard Altenbourg’s birth.

Gerhard Ströch, an illustrator, graphic artist and poet born in Schnepfenthal, adopted the pseudonym Altenbourg, after the town of Altenburg, where he spent most of his life.

The ‘Schnepfenthaler Suite’ is Altenbourg’s most extensive and evocative work, a late and major masterpiece that was printed over a period of four years by the Chemnitz-based artist and printer Thomas Ranft, in close collaboration with Altenbourg.

‘The 100 sheets have become a large-scale, erotically suggestive yet ironic “theatre of the world” in miniature, a seemingly light-hearted yet delicate play on love and grand emotions in an intimate format.’ (Lindenau Museum)

We are exhibiting all 100 etchings from the suite, which were last seen in Dresden 27 years ago as part of a special exhibition at the Dresden Art Market in the palace.

Early lithographs, woodcuts and drawings are also on display.