Cologne: Gay and lesbian journey through 700 years of art history

From the website of the Wallraf das Museum in Cologne.

During the forthcoming Gay Games Cologne 2010 (31 July till 7 August), the Wallraf will become the first museum in Germany to offer a tour of its collection highlighting the overtly or latently homosexual motifs in its paintings. Alongside Dürer’s Piper and Drummer, Bruyn’s Ecce Homo, and Boucher’s Resting Girl, the programme contains works such as the Sebastian Altar and the Legend of St Ursula.

With dedicated wall texts and two special guided tours, the Museum will present – with a wink in its eye – salacious details, amusing anecdotes and even thought-provoking aspects related to works and artists from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The aspects of gender and queer studies will be taken just as much into account as the historical, socio-critical and religious backgrounds.

A magenta dot will distinguish each of the around 20 exhibits as part of the tour. Moreover, at 4.30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday (6 and 7 August) there will be a special themed tour in English. Prior booking is not required, and the tour fee is included in the entry price. Meeting place for the tour is the museum foyer.

August 5 Special Exhibition and Performance Evening at the Wallraf
In addition, the Wallraf will also be co-hosting the exhibition “move it!” as part of the Gay Games. For this the museum will showcase the work of four contemporary artists who have worked specially round the theme “move it!”. This cameo exhibition is a satellite of the large show on view at the Altes Pfandhaus. On Thursday, 5 August, there will be a performance evening in the foyer of the Wallraf beginning at 8 p.m., featuring presentations by various artists.

WALLRAF-RICHARTZ-MUSEUM
Obenmarspforten (am Kölner Rathaus)
D- 50667 Köln
Tel.: +49 (0) 221 221-21119
Fax: +49 (0) 221 221-22629
http://www.wallraf.museum/

Hours
Tue to Fri - 10 am to 6 pm
Thu - 10 am to 10 pm
Sat & Sun 11 am to 6 pm
Closed Mondays

To learn more about all of the special tours in Cologne, visit the Tour Page at http://www.games-cologne.de/en/static/cologne/tours.