Rudolf Belling (1886–1972) is one of the most important German sculptors of classical modernism. The National Gallery, which dedicated its first museum exhibition to the artist in 1924, is now presenting the pioneer of plastic abstraction in the major retrospective Rudolf Belling. Sculptures and architecture. The exhibition is the first comprehensive presentation of his work in 40 years and demonstrates Belling's importance for the avant-garde of the 20th century. The starting point are eleven major works from the 1920s from the Nationalgalerie collection, including the famous Dreiklang (1919/24). The total of around 80 exhibits from the 1910s to the 1970s - including sculptures, drawings, models, films, photos and figurines - illuminate the many facets of a sculptor who cannot be limited to the medium of sculpture alone.
Belling's art work, spanning over six decades, is characterized by unique versatility: his stylistic vocabulary ranges from Expressionism to New Objectivity, from Futurism to Constructivism, from Abstraction to Naturalism. He also crossed common boundaries when it came to genres: he was active as a set and costume designer, architectural and advertising sculptor, portrait artist and designer; Interior spaces, architectural sculptures, fountains and monuments were created in collaboration with architects; Building utopias found expression in visionary designs; His “fashion sculpture” is still considered an outstanding example of the modern mannequin.