The Leipziger Schule and the subsequent Neue Leipziger Schule represent a highly influential movement within contemporary figurative art. Originating at the Hochschule fuer Grafik und Buchkunst in Leipzig, this artistic tradition places strong emphasis on craftsmanship and realism. Artists such as Werner Tuebke, Bernhard Heisig, and Wolfgang Mattheuer laid the foundation with their technically refined and socially engaged works. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Neue Leipziger Schule emerged, with artists like Neo Rauch, Rosa Loy, and Matthias Weischer blending realism with dreamlike and surreal elements. Since 2009, the Drents Museum has devoted considerable attention to these movements. Exhibitions such as Realism from Leipzig and solo presentations by Rosa Loy, Kristina Schuldt, Mirjam Voelker and Tilo Baumgaertel reflect the museum's long-standing commitment to these artists. The museum has also built an extensive collection of works from both the original and the new Leipzig schools, including recent acquisitions like Baboom by Tilo Baumgaertel. The book includes essays by leading authors and a comprehensive selection of works. Text in English and Dutch. AUTHORS: Harry Tupan is Director of the Drents Museum in Assen, the Netherlands. A trained art historian, he specialises in modern and contemporary art. Under his leadership, the museum has gained international recognition through high-profile exhibitions and cultural collaborations, emphasising cross-border connections and storytelling through art. Annemiek Rens is Chief Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Drents Museum. With a background in art history, she curates major international exhibitions and publications. Her work focuses on presenting innovative perspectives on 20th- and 21st-century art, making global artistic developments accessible to broad audiences. SELLING POINTS: . Historical Continuity: Traces the lineage from the original Leipziger Schule masters . Technical Excellence: Highlights uncompromising craftsmanship and realist techniques taught at the Hochschule fuer Grafik und Buchkunst in Leipzig . Socially Engaged Art: Showcases how early Leipzig School artists addressed GDR society, and how Neue Leipziger Schule artists responded to reunification with dreamlike and surreal motifs . Drents Museum Commitment: Since 2009, the museum has hosted major exhibitions (?Realism from Leipzig?) and solo shows (Rosa Loy, Kristina Schuldt, Mirjam Voelker, Tilo Baumgaertel), cementing its role as a key institution for these movements . Extensive Collection: Features core works from both schools, including recent acquisitions like Tilo Baumgaertel's ?Baboom,? underscoring the museum's deep holdings . Cross-Cultural Relevance: Illuminates how East German figuration influenced contemporary European art, appealing to both academic and general audiences interested in post-war art movements . Educational Potential: Provides rich material for lectures, symposiums, and university courses on Eastern Bloc art history and contemporary figurative painting . Exhibition in Drents Museum (Assen, NL) from 28 September 2025 120 colour illustrations
