This is the Modern World at the Hamburger Kunsthalle in Hamburg, Germany, presents a fresh look at the museum's extensive collection of early to mid-20th-century art. The exhibition focuses on the dramatic years between 1900 and 1960, a period defined by social upheaval and a decisive break from traditional aesthetic rules.

Visitors encounter approximately 125 works, ranging from the bold colors of Expressionist groups like Die Brücke to the experimental forms of the École de Paris. The selection includes significant paintings and sculptures by Edvard Munch, Pablo Picasso, and Sonia Delaunay-Terk, alongside later post-war movements like Art Informel. A dedicated section highlights artists from Hamburg, placing regional contributions within the broader context of international Modernism.

By organizing these pieces around themes of technology, psychology, and politics, the show illustrates how artists reacted to the rise of new philosophies and the pressures of ideological shifts. The presentation avoids a simple survey approach, instead grouping diverse media—including rotating selections of drawings and photographs—to reveal the specific methods behind these creative transitions.

A substantial overview of 20th-century innovation, ideal for those who enjoy seeing how historical events directly shape artistic style and technique.

This isn't really a temporary blockbuster; it's a chance to see one of Germany's significant modern-art collections completely reconsidered.

Start with the early pioneers before moving into the more abstract post-war sections; pay attention to the rotating paper works, which change periodically during the run.