Pictures’ Credit: x.com/KNMAIndia
German Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann inaugurated the exhibition “Eckart Muthesius and Manik Bagh – Pioneering Modernism in India” at the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) on 16 October.
The exhibition, curated by Raffael Dedo Gadebusch, head of the Museum für Asiatische Kunst in Berlin, celebrates Indo-German collaboration in art, design, and architecture.
A Modernist Symbol of India-Germany Cooperation
The exhibition coincides with the 120th birth anniversary of German architect Eckart Muthesius and explores his unique partnership with Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II of Indore.
Their collaboration in the 1930s resulted in the creation of Manik Bagh, India’s first modernist palace, a landmark project that eschewed colonial architectural styles. “The Manik Bagh exhibition tells the remarkable story of a young Maharaja and a gifted German architect, whose bold and progressive collaboration produced an extraordinary modernist palace–one of the few in India with no colonial legacy,” Ackermann said.
The Ambassador emphasized the significance of this cultural fusion, adding, “This palace is a testament to what happens when Indian and German minds unite, creating something truly unique, a Gesamtkunstwerk–a comprehensive work of art that includes not only architecture but furniture, lighting, and garden design. I encourage everyone to witness this magnificent exhibition that celebrates early modernist cooperation between India and Germany.”
An Architectural Vision Born at Oxford
The seeds of this artistic endeavor were sown in the late 1920s when Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II and Eckart Muthesius met at Oxford University. Shortly after, the Maharaja commissioned Muthesius to design a palace that embodied modernist ideals, diverging from colonial traditions.
Completed in 1933, Manik Bagh became an icon of international modernism. It showcased minimalist interiors and featured design masterpieces, including Constantin Brancusi’s renowned sculpture “Bird in Space,” commissioned in three versions by the Maharaja. At the time, media hailed the palace as a “fairytale palace of modernity.”
Rare Artworks and Photographs on Display
The exhibition presents a collection of rare vintage photographs by Eckart Muthesius, Emil Leitner, and Man Ray, alongside watercolors, drawings, and design studies by Muthesius. These works offer a deeper understanding of the early modernist movement and the creative synergy between India and Germany.
The German Embassy in a press release noted, “This exhibition also signals the beginning of a long-term collaboration between the Museum für Asiatische Kunst in Berlin and the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) in New Delhi.” Both institutions aim to deepen cultural ties through future exhibitions and dialogues on modern and contemporary art.
Exhibition Open Until December 8 The “Eckart Muthesius and Manik Bagh” exhibition will run at the KNMA Museum until December 8, offering a rare glimpse into Indo-German artistic collaboration and modernist heritage.
