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Farmers Gallery in Meiningen Castle: GDR art inspires!
On October 31, 2025, the exhibition on GDR art at the Farmers Gallery opens in Elisabethenburg Castle, Meiningen. Experience historical works and critical perspectives until March 8, 2026.
Farmers Gallery in Meiningen Castle: GDR art inspires!
On October 31, 2025, an exciting exhibition will open in the magnificent Elisabethenburg Castle in Meiningen: "Free Art for Free Farmers? The Farmers Gallery: A Picture of the Late GDR". This show takes a fascinating look at the lives of farmers in the GDR and shows works from the historic “Peasants Gallery”, which existed from 1987 to 1990. Visitors can expect graphics, photographs, paintings and sculptures that offer a variety of perspectives on the conditions at the time.
The exhibition is particularly pleasing as it offers the first opportunity to see the works since 2006. Overall, it is only the third time that these works of art have been presented since the end of the GDR. Almut Pollmer-Schmidt, the curator of the exhibition, has set herself the goal of bringing art from this period closer to a new generation. Both propaganda works and images critical of the system are shown, which ensures a lively discussion about the art and cultural history of the GDR.
Variety of works of art
A highlight of the exhibition is “The Country Sauna” by Willi Sitte, which is one of the most famous exhibits. The works displayed come from well-known artists such as Gert Mackensen, Gisela Kurkhaus-Müller, Frank Gottsmann, Katharina Müller, Jo Jastram, Kurt Querner, and Bernhard Heisig. The idea for the “Farmers Gallery” came about in 1985, with the firm goal of depicting the lives of agricultural workers and cooperative farmers. The collection was commissioned throughout the GDR; Herbert Schönemann was responsible until 1988.
Particularly worth mentioning is the critical look at topics such as brown coal mining, which is also part of the exhibition. Not only is the art magazine of the life promoted by the GDR presented, but also its dark shadows.
An interesting art offering
The exhibition runs from October 31, 2025 to March 8, 2026 and is open regularly from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is 6 euros, reduced 4.50 euros. Those interested in art and culture can look forward to an eventful time that not only illuminates the aesthetics of the works, but also the history of East German art.
In addition, some works from the “Bauern-Galerie” can be found in the permanent exhibition of the Meiningen Museums, which further strengthens the connection between the past and the present. This exhibition is an invitation to engage with an important part of German history and to experience art as a medium of social reflection.