Leicester lends artworks to major Tate Modern exhibition

Expressionist artworks from Leicester Museums & Galleries' renowned collection are currently on display at the Tate Modern in London as part of a major new exhibition.

Published: 15 May 2024

The exhibition, Expressionists: Kandinsky, Münter and the Blue Rider, explores the work of the Blue Rider group of artists, who joined together to form ‘a union of various countries to serve one purpose’ – to transform modern art. The artists rallied around Wassily Kandinsky and Gabriele Münter to experiment with colour, sound and light, creating bold and vibrant art.

The items currently on display at the Tate from Leicester’s collection are ‘Behind the Church’, a 1916 oil painting by Lyonel Feininger, and ‘Wild Horses’, a 1912 woodcut postcard by Franz Marc. Also on display is ‘Animal from a Fable (Gazelle)’, a 1912 colour woodcut by Franz Marc, which is on long-term loan to Leicester Museums. All three are usually on display in the German Expressionism: The Total Artwork gallery at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery.

‘Behind the Church’, oil painting by Lyonel Feininger, 1916 © DACS 2024

‘Behind the Church’, oil painting by Lyonel Feininger, 1916 © DACS 2024


The Tate Modern exhibition has received some fantastic reviews, such as this 4 star review from the Guardian, and has been praised for its rousing use of colour, demonstrating the force of the Expressionist movement and its long-lasting impact.

The exhibition at the Tate Modern runs until 20 October. 

Left to right: ‘Animal from a Fable (Gazelle)’ colour woodcut colour and ‘Wild Horses’ woodcut postcard by Franz Marc, 1912

Left to right: ‘Animal from a Fable (Gazelle)’ colour woodcut colour and ‘Wild Horses’ woodcut postcard by Franz Marc, 1912


Find out more about the work of the Blue Rider group of artists and explore all of Leicester's German Expressionist works on our dedicated collections website germanexpressionismleicester.org.