Frogs, Fire, Darkness
Current Drawing Positions
on Jan Luyken (1649–1712)
September 14 to November 10, 2024
Kunstforum Ingelheim – Old Town Hall
Frogs, Fire, Darkness
This exhibition is testing a new format: conceived as an open project, ten contemporary artists were invited to engage with etchings by the Dutch artist Jan Luyken (1649–1712).
In 1708, Luyken created ten impressive prints, each depicting one of the ten plagues from the Old Testament (2nd Book of Moses: Exodus) in rich detail and narrative form: at that time, Egypt was also home to the people of Israel, who suffered greatly under the rule of the Pharaoh. When he refused to release the Jewish people from slavery, their God—according to the biblical tradition—brought ten devastating catastrophes upon the land: water turned to blood; frogs, fire, and darkness descended; and locusts ravaged the region. Only after the tenth and most terrible plague, which killed all firstborn humans and animals, did the Pharaoh let the people of Israel go.
Jan Luyken, The Second Plague in Egypt.
The Frogs Come Over Egypt (detail), 1708, etching
© Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation Corboud, Cologne
Photo: Stanislaw Rusch
Although Luyken’s dramatic depictions of the biblical accounts form the beginning and point of departure for the exhibition, the newly created drawings by the invited contemporary artists are the focus of our autumn project.
In recent months, an impressive diversity of drawings has emerged: while some artists addressed the theme of “plague” in general or focused on just one specific plague, others refer to current threats or process personal challenges. The range of artistic works is correspondingly diverse and varied: it extends from small, delicate sheets that invite close looking to large-format drawings that likewise require intensive viewing.
While some participants created ten drawings or even more, others produced significantly fewer works. Although paper was mostly used as the image support, canvas, a screen, or a multi-part installation extending into the space on tables was also chosen. While many works are in black and white, there are also examples in color.
Alongside Jan Luyken’s historical originals, works by Sandra Boeschenstein (* 1967), Ambra Durante (* 2000), Marcel van Eeden (* 1965), Sławomir Elsner (* 1976), Serena Ferrario (* 1986), Bettina Munk (* 1960), Christian Pilz (* 1978), Malte Spohr (* 1958), Brigitte Waldach (* 1966) and Christian Weihrauch (* 1966) will be shown.
Opening Hours
Wednesday to Friday (11:00 AM–6:30 PM)
Saturday/Sunday/public holidays (11:00 AM–6:00 PM)
Monday and Tuesday closed
Frogs, Fire, Darkness
80 pages, 25 x 28 cm, edited by Katharina Henkel. With contributions by Werner Klein, Astrid Reuter, Anne Waßmann-Böhm, as well as interviews with the artists about their newly created works.
Price €19.00
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