Ulrike Theusner: A day full of art in the Weimar Residence Palace!

Ulrike Theusner: A day full of art in the Weimar Residence Palace!

On September 11, 2025, the artist Ulrike Theusner will have a meeting at the Residenzschloss in Weimar. The castle is currently a construction site and is being extensively renovated, but there is a special bright spot: the restored poets' rooms are open. These rooms were set up between 1835 and 1848 by Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna as a memorial to important German poets such as Wieland, Herder, Goethe and Schiller. The Goethe Gallery, the largest of the poets' rooms, impresses with its style designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, which is still considered the first monument of Weimar Classicism. These special rooms include scenes from Goethe's most famous works, including Faust I and The Sorrows of Young Werther.

Like many artists, Ulrike Theusner is constantly traveling, most recently in Seoul and Bonn. She is planning future visits to Basel, Italy and Bad Gastein. The artist, who was born in Frankfurt (Oder) in 1982, lives and works between Weimar and Berlin and specializes in drawing and printmaking. Her interdisciplinary work demonstrates a preference for ornamentation, which stems in part from her architecture studies, which she completed for a year before switching to art. Theusner's works are characterized by lively, expressive lines and address serious and contemporary content. Many of her characters wear historical costumes and reflect current social inequalities. In this context, her work “Green Moon II” is considered a highlight, which can be seen at the EIGEN + ART gallery in Berlin until October 25, 2025.

The poets' rooms and their meaning

The Poets' Rooms in the Residenzschloss are more than just historical rooms. They are a living testimony to the Weimar Classic and the cultural flowering of this time. The large Goethe Gallery, with its semicircular vaulted ceiling, is reminiscent of a velarium and is decorated with putti that symbolize Goethe's interests. These details fascinate Theusner, who also keeps an eye on the Wieland room with its bright red walls and motifs from Wieland's romantic epic “Oberon”. During her visit, she discusses the origin of the term “grotesque” and its relevance in ornamentation.

The art scene in Germany experienced a remarkable boom during the Weimar Republic. This time was characterized by a variety of art movements and experiments. Many artists, including Otto Dix, dealt with the experiences of the First World War, proving that art can also provide political and social commentary. The diversity and vibrancy of these art movements continue to inspire and push artists like Theusner to break new ground in their work. Her drawings contain elements that are reminiscent of Goya's grotesques and Dix's socially critical caricatures.

Overall, Ulrike Theusner's work and her commitment reflect the dynamism and creativity that are characteristic of art in the Weimar Republic. The residential palace not only offers a historical backdrop, but also a place where modern art and classical tradition meet, which is worth a visit for anyone interested in art. The view of the trusses of the Goethegalerie and the conversations with the artist show how past and present can merge in art.

You can find out more about Ulrike Theusner in the in-depth articles by World art and Wikipedia.

You can find an overview of art in the Weimar Republic, which highlights many exciting aspects Time clicks.