Island Hopping Föhr, Amrum, Sylt and Helgoland in Painting and Photography

22. February 2026 to 07. June 2026

A look at four North Sea islands! What unites these fascinating places and what distinguishes them from each other? The islands and the Halligen certainly all share an inspiring effect on artists. The works they created would later be shown at major exhibitions in Germany and abroad, and they continue to shape our image of the islands today. Pieces by contemporary artists broaden our view and convey a new perspective on a familiar subject.

 

With the app “MKdW on tour”, visitors can dive even deeper into the artworks on display: the audio material provided for children and adults tells fascinating stories about the paintings’ motifs. Beyond your visit to the museum, you can also seek out the real locations along the coast. What has changed over time in the architecture and landscape? An integrated photo function makes it possible to directly compare your own Picture with the artwork.

 

The exhibition comprises around 90 paintings, oil studies, pastels and photographs, including popular favourites as well as recent additions to the collection that are being shown for the first time. On display are works by artists like Max Clarenbach, Otto H. Engel, Charles Hoguet, Elisabeth Krüger and Walter Leistikow. Contemporary positions from Anja Jensen, Per Bak Jensen and Günter Zachariasen expand the selection to encompass current artistic perspectives.

 

MKdW would like to thank:

   

      

           

 

Paul Wilhelm
Badegäste am geflaggten Strand
Paul Wilhelm
Badegäste am geflaggten Strand

1909, © Museum Kunst der Westküste

Otto Modersohn
Haus mit Windfahne in Steenodde (Haus auf Amrum)
Otto Modersohn
Haus mit Windfahne in Steenodde (Haus auf Amrum)

1903, Museum Kunst der Westküste

Otto Heinrich Engel
Vor dem Spiegel (Käthe Lorenzen)
Otto Heinrich Engel
Vor dem Spiegel (Käthe Lorenzen)

1910, Museum Kunst der Westküste

Corina Gertz
DE 60, Föhr
Corina Gertz
DE 60, Föhr

2023, Museum Kunst der Westküste, Foto Gertz, © VG Bild-Kunst, 2026

Charles Hoguet
Helgoland – Westseite Felswatt
Charles Hoguet
Helgoland – Westseite Felswatt

1856, Museum Kunst der Westküste

Per Bak Jensen
Lysfyldt, Luminous
Per Bak Jensen
Lysfyldt, Luminous

2023, © Galleri Bo Bjerggaard and the artist, VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2026

Otto Heinrich Engel
Strandleben am Abend
Otto Heinrich Engel
Strandleben am Abend

1911, Museum Kunst der Westküste