–  Clemens Sels Museum Neuss

Antiquity Reloaded

From Asterix to Cupid

Le Sphinx Die Sphinx, Gustave Moreau (1826 – 1898), Foto: Carsten Gliese, Köln

The fascination for antiquity remains unbroken to this day. But how has the view of this era changed over the centuries? Paintings and sculptures, drawings, prints and comics provide information about antiquity as a rich source of inspiration and its diverse influences on myths and fashion, architecture and sculpture. Works from the 16th to 20th centuries from the collection of the Clemens Sels Museum Neuss once again demonstrate what »Antiquity Reloaded« can mean. 

The enthusiasm for mythological stories about the lives, loves and sufferings of figures such as Venus, Mars and Cupid is currently experiencing a real renaissance, especially in pop culture – from series and films to novels, comics and computer games. The adventures of ancient gods and goddesses as well as heroes and heroines have been a source of inspiration for artists since the early modern era. The former omnipresence of mythological themes can be impressively traced in numerous works: from the sun god Apollo and the hunting goddess Diana to Hercules and fabulous monsters such as the Sphinx and the three-headed hellhound Cerberus. Paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints by Gustave Moreau (1826-1898), Odilon Redon (1840-1916), Ker Xavier-Roussel (1867-1944), Walter Crane (1845-1915), Max Klinger (1857-1920) and Annibale Carracci (1560-1609) invite to participate on an exciting journey through the world of ancient myths and legends.

 The influence of classical fashion on artistic depictions of clothing from the 16th century onwards can also be traced in many variations. The garments – from tunics and togas to ancient armour – inspired the work of many artists. For example, works by Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) and Georg Pencz (ca. 1500-1550), Angelika Kauffmann (1741-1807) and Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882), Max Klinger (1857-1920) and James Ensor (1860-1949) reveal a wide variety of forms of classically styled clothing.

Ever since Goethe’s famous journey, Italy has been associated with southern images of longing that have magically attracted many generations of artists. For centuries, Rome has been both dream and destination of countless travellers. Renowned artists from Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778) to Guido Reni (1575-1642) and Johann Wilhelm Schirmer (1807-1863) embarked on the Grand Tour that aristocrats had undertaken to Italy since the late 16th century. They were inspired by the ancient treasures and the light-flooded Campagna and created a fascinating monument to Rome in numerous works. 

»These Romans are crazy!« – this quote from the comic heroes Asterix and Obelix has long been legendary. The two intrepid Gauls made their first appearance in 1961, and the cult figures from France are still hugely popular. The most successful comic figures in Europe shaped the image of Roman antiquity for generations. A targeted selection of historical comics, animation cells and drawings as well as game figures invites you to travel back in time to the year 50 BC, when the whole of Gaul was occupied by the Romans. In a comic reading corner, visitors can browse to their heart’s content through all the Asterix books published to date.

Related program

Bild eines Kindes von oben, das ein blaues Bild malt mit Pinsel und Wasserfarben.

Every 1st Sunday of the month, parallel to the first public adult tour of the day, there is a double-pack workshop for children aged 6 and up.

Not only magicians and witches can wow their audience with spectacular tricks, you can do it too! We will look at paintings and sculptures in the current exhibition and then get creative ourselves. With a few simple tricks, you can become the master of illusion and create breathtaking drawings with three-dimensional optical illusions.

Date Sunday, December 07, 2025
Time 11:30 am – 1 pm
Location Clemens Sels Museum Neuss
Available places 0
Program Double and Triple Pack
Participation fee 4 € plus 2 € material costs
Waiting List Save event

After a guided tour of the exhibition, there will be an opportunity for exchange over coffee and cake.

Date Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Time 2:30 pm – 4 pm
Location Clemens Sels Museum Neuss
Available places 12
Program Art & Cake
Participation fee 11 € incl. coffee and cake
Registration Save event

After a guided tour of the exhibition, there will be an opportunity for exchange over coffee and cake.

Date Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Time 1 pm – 1:30 pm
Location Clemens Sels Museum Neuss
Available places 12
Program Art & Sandwich
Participation fee 11 € incl. coffee and cake
Registration Save event

Public guided tours to deepen selected topics of the exhibition.

Date Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Time 3 pm – 4 pm
Location Clemens Sels Museum Neuss
Available places 18
Program Curator’s Tour
Participation fee 4 € plus admission
Registration Save event

Eine Gruppe von Kindern stehtum einen Tisch herum und malt. Auf einer Staffelei im Hintergrund steht ein Gemälde einer Frau.

Every 1st Sunday of the month, parallel to the first public adult tour of the day, there is a double-pack workshop for children aged 6 and up.

Not only magicians and witches can wow their audience with spectacular tricks, you can do it too! We will look at paintings and sculptures in the current exhibition and then get creative ourselves. With a few simple tricks, you can become the master of illusion and create breathtaking drawings with three-dimensional optical illusions.

Date Sunday, February 01, 2026
Time 11:30 am – 1 pm
Location Clemens Sels Museum Neuss
Available places 10
Program Double and Triple Pack
Participation fee 4 € plus 2 € material costs
Registration Save event

After a guided tour of the exhibition, there will be an opportunity for exchange over coffee and cake.

Date Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Time 1 pm – 1:30 pm
Location Clemens Sels Museum Neuss
Available places 12
Program Art & Sandwich
Participation fee 11 € incl. coffee and cake
Registration Save event

Bemalte Blumentöpfe mit Kräutern

Every 1st Sunday of the month, parallel to the first public adult tour of the day, there is a double-pack workshop for children aged 6 and up.

Not only magicians and witches can wow their audience with spectacular tricks, you can do it too! We will look at paintings and sculptures in the current exhibition and then get creative ourselves. With a few simple tricks, you can become the master of illusion and create breathtaking drawings with three-dimensional optical illusions.

Date Sunday, April 05, 2026
Time 11:30 am – 1 pm
Location Clemens Sels Museum Neuss
Available places 10
Program Double and Triple Pack
Participation fee 4 € plus 2 € material costs
Registration Save event

Ein Kind mal ein Bild mit Wasserfarben und Pinsel.

Colorful rock paintings in picture caves, painted bones and figures made of clay - art has always been an important part of our lives, even in the Stone Age! Together with an archaeologist, we explore the art world of the Stone Age people, investigate the production of various colors and then make our own works of art.

Date Wednesday, April 08, 2026
Time 10 am – 1 pm
Location Clemens Sels Museum Neuss
Available places 3
Program Vacation Fun
Participation fee 25 € incl. material costs, entrance fee and lunch break
Age 6 - 12 years
Registration Save event

Colorful rock paintings in picture caves, painted bones and figures made of clay - art has always been an important part of our lives, even in the Stone Age! Together with an archaeologist, we explore the art world of the Stone Age people, investigate the production of various colors and then make our own works of art.

Date Friday, April 10, 2026
Time 10 am – 1 pm
Location Clemens Sels Museum Neuss
Available places 3
Program Vacation Fun
Participation fee 25 € incl. material costs, entrance fee and lunch break
Age 6 - 12 years
Registration Save event

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