William Kentridge – Dresden Royal Palace, Germany

William Kentridge. Listen to the Echo

At the artist’s special request, the Kupferstich-Kabinett (Cabinet of Prints and Drawings) is dedicating an exhibition to the printmaking of William Kentridge. Since the 1970s, he has worked radically and creatively with a variety of printmaking techniques, integrating them into large-scale projects. Printmaking, often used as a medium for reproduction and distribution, becomes for Kentridge an expression of process and a platform for collaborative work with a socio-political dimension.

The Kupferstich-Kabinett (Cabinet of Prints and Drawings) presents works from the beginning of his career to the present day, including his famous projects such as “Ubu,” “Sibyl,” and “Oh To Believe In Another World.” The exhibition focuses on the large-format woodcuts and etchings from the “Triumphs and Laments” series, which play a central role in the festival’s theme of “Procession.”
By juxtaposing these with works from the museum’s own collection, including pieces by Jacques Callot, Albrecht Dürer, and Hans Holbein, the universality of the theme within the art historical tradition is illustrated. At the same time, it becomes clear how deeply Kentridge, who lives in South Africa, is rooted in European printmaking and how this influence resonates in his own work. Two films complement the presentation in the Kupferstich-Kabinett, demonstrating the diverse connections that William Kentridge’s printmaking offers. 

In the Studiolo, a further presentation of two films from the series “Drawings for Projection” (1989–2020) offers insight into William Kentridge’s early drawing practice, for which he became known. Alongside the animated charcoal drawings, large-format finished drawings were created, which complement this group of works.