Education, commissioned art, aesthetic vision? The GDR art collection's sub-set at Humboldt-Universität

06/01/2026

During the summer semester of 2024, students from the Department of Library and Information Science took part in a seminar organised by the Kustodie/Art Collection, exploring works from the GDR era.

The Humboldt-Universität possesses a rich collection of valuable art treasures. The collection also includes many works from the era of the GDR, during which the university was based there from 1949 to 1990. Through archival research and discussions with experts, students from the Department of Library and Information Science have investigated the histories of specific objects, examined the architectural history of the HU, and researched art education at the university.

A glimpse of the exhibition at the Humboldt Laboratory

Photo of an exhibition space showing a wall with three large-format oil paintings, next to which is a wall with text — Start of the exhibition tour **Photo:** Philipp Plum, **License:** CC-BY-SA

A view of an exhibition wall featuring three oil paintings that form a triptych — The triptych "The Development of Socialism" by Heinrich Tessmer **Photo:** Philipp Plum, **License:** CC-BY-SA

A view of an exhibition display featuring explanatory text about the exhibition — Start of the exhibition tour with an introduction to the outcomes of the project seminar **Photo:** Philipp Plum, **License:** CC-BY-SA

A view of an exhibition wall with many framed pictures hung closely together — A selection of works by former students of the Art Education Department **Photo:** Philipp Plum, **License:** CC-BY-SA

An oblique view of a wall featuring text and a signposting system guiding visitors through the exhibition — Exhibition signage **Photo:** Philipp Plum, **License:** CC-BY-SA

A man is reading a label on the wall, next to a large oil painting depicting Alexander von Humboldt and Simon Bolívar standing in a room — Alexander von Humboldt and Simon Bolívar in picture – a fascinating story in pictures **Photo:** Philipp Plum, **License:** CC-BY-SA

A woman is taking a photo with her mobile phone of a reproduction of a mural hanging on an exhibition wall alongside other works — The large mural at 28 Dorotheenstrasse could only be included in the exhibition as a smaller-scale reproduction **Photo:** Philipp Plum, **License:** CC-BY-SA

A view inside a display cabinet containing three medals and horizontal object labels — The 1960 Humboldt Medals, a new logo for the Humboldt-Universität **Photo:** Philipp Plum, **License:** CC-BY-SA

Visitors are standing in front of an exhibition wall displaying framed pictures and pointing at the captions; in the background, there are other people — Visitors discuss prints from the "Blumen auf Stein" series **Photo:** Philipp Plum, **License:** CC-BY-SA

From 14 to 27 October 2024, the results of the student research project were presented at the Humboldt Labor. The exhibition Education, Commissioned Art, Aesthetic Will? The GDR Art Collection's sub-set at the HU showcased numerous original objects and several reproductions. These included commissioned works such as portraits of the Humboldt brothers; works inspired by socialist ideology such as Heinrich Tessmer’s triptych Stationen; a mural from the early GDR period, which came to light a few years ago behind a wooden panelling; and student works from art education spanning the 1960s to the 1980s. In some cases, extensive studies were also produced on the individual themes, which are due to be published.