Ziemlich beste Freunde

A very special relationship connects Hans Thuar and August Macke since their childhood days together in Cologne. When Thuar loses both legs in a tram accident at the age of eleven, it is August Macke who restores his will to live through his visits and humor. Inspired by Macke, Thuar also becomes an artist. Some of their paintings are created together in front of the same motif. Before World War I, both are among the heavily criticized expressionist modernists with their works. After Macke's death as a soldier in World War I, the friendship continues within their families, culminating in the marriage of Macke's son Wolfgang and Thuar's daughter Gisela. The exhibition focuses on Thuar, an artist whose highly expressive, vividly colored, and entirely unique compositions have nearly been forgotten. A graphic short story by young artist Yuka Masuko illustrates the friendship between the two artists based on memories and excerpts from their letters.