BERLIN.- It represents a unique survey of the most significant post-war avant-garde tendencies: The Lenz Schönberg Collection. After a grand European tour and a recent exhibition at the Kunstmuseum Ahlen, highlights of this important collection will be on display at Ketterer Kunst in Berlin.

The Lenz Schönberg Collection – the name stands for both the collector family as well as for the town of Schönberg in the Taunus mountains – is one of the largest private collections of European post-war art, comprising around 500 works by around 50 artists that Gerhard and Anna Lenz have acquired since 1966.

It all began with Jef Verheyen’s “Zonnebogen ¼“ dated 1965. The work is part of a series of diamond-shaped “Sun Arches“ the artist uses to convey the meaning of color. Structuring the hue in translucent layers on the image carrier, the artist creates uniquely subtle nuances.

Generally, the collection surprises with remarkable positions of notable artists. In most cases the color’s purity and radiance is particularly captivating. The range of works covers Yves Klein’s intensive blue pigment, Hermann Bartel’s “Gelbes Bild“, Arnulf Rainer’s “Gelbe Übermalung“, Günter Uecker’s “Gelbe Flut“, Otto Piene’s “gelbgelbweißheißschnell“ and Lucio Fontana’s unusual “Concetto spaziale“ in green from 1957.

Other artists on display are Bernard Aubertin, Enrico Castellani, Piero Dorazio, Hermann Goepfert, Gotthard Graubner, Oskar Holweck, Walter Leblanc, Heinz Mack, Piero Manzoni, Almir Mavignier, Christian Megert, François Morellet, Roman Opalka, Bridget Riley, Jan Schoonhoven, Turi Simeti, Jean Tinguely, Victor Vasarely and Hermann de Vries.

“The exhibition provides an insight into a small but select range of works particularly dear to the collector's heart“, says Dr. Simone Wiechers, head of the Berlin branch of Ketterer Kunst. “What I find especially fascinating is that Anna Lenz is or was a good friend of many artists and their wives. The passionate photographer she is, she captured many exciting moments with her camera. I am very pleased that we are also able to present some of Anna Lenz’s artist portraits at our premises.“

On occasion of the opening of the exhibition “Lenz Schönberg Collection At Ketterer Kunst“ on February 23 from 6 to 8 pm, Dr. Simone Wiechers, curator of the exhibition and head of the Berlin branch of Ketterer Kunst, as well as the collector Anna Lenz and the lawyer, art expert and patron Prof. Dr. Peter Raue will deliver speeches.