The far distance so close

Starting in the Rhineland, Johann Wilhelm Schirmer undertook numerous journeys through Europe and captured the regionally diverse landscapes, vegetation, architectural monuments and people in his sketches, drawings and watercolors.

The collection of over 140 works in the Clemens-Sels-Museum Neuss documents the painter's artistic career, which took him from Neuss via Switzerland and Italy to France. In comparative juxtaposition with selected loans, the sheets illustrated the extent to which the studies found their way into his paintings. In addition, their further functions for the artist, such as the expansion of his motif repertoire or their use as teaching aids for his numerous students, were illustrated. A special highlight of the presentation were the listening stations, which brought Schirmer's personal travel impressions back to life with the help of letters and diary entries. In addition, his sketchbook from 1831 was completed virtually by means of a touch screen, so that it was available again in its entirety for the first time.

The exhibition was part of the cooperation project "Johann Wilhelm Schirmer - From the Rhineland to the World" under the patronage of Dr. Jürgen Rüttgers, Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia.