Europe’s art scene is thriving, with many upcoming exhibitions to see in 2024. From Old Masters and visionary female artists to contemporary installations and major architectural and design movements, there’s something for every art lover. Scroll down for Dreams & Design’s curated guide to top art exhibitions in Europe in 2024 and prepare to be inspired!
Old Masters: Where can you see the best art exhibitions in 2024?
If you’re into timeless aesthetics and art history, check out these curated art shows coming soon to Vienna, Berlin and London.
1. Holbein. Burgkmair. Dürer. Renaissance in the North. 19 March – 30 June 2024
The upcoming exhibition in Vienna aims to bring greater recognition to the Renaissance in the north, which has been somewhat overshadowed by its more famous Italian counterpart. The show will explore the themes and techniques that defined northern European art in the early 16th century, with the wealthy German city of Augsburg playing the role of cultural hub.
Where? Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
Visit if you love…medieval legends, pronounced cheekbones.
2. Caspar David Friedrich. Infinite Landscapes. 19 April – 4 August 2024
Caspar David Friedrich’s evocative landscapes became visual symbols of the Romantic era. To mark the 250th anniversary of the painter’s birth, the exhibition promises to introduce viewers to his most iconic works, with a focus on his timeless landscapes. These paintings reveal Friedrich’s unique perception of nature, and in doing so, capture the spirit of his time.
Where? Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin
Visit if you love…contemplating nature, German romanticism.
3. Sargent and Fashion. 22 February – 7 July 2024
A must-see for all lovers of art and fashion, this London exhibition aims to shed new light on Sargent’s iconic portraits. The famous American painter captured the personalities of his sitters through the intricate details of their clothing and beauty trends, which often scandalised the fashionable society of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The exhibition will feature sixty of Sargent’s portraits alongside the original garments worn by his sitters.
Where? Tate Britain, London
Visit if you love…Madame X, 19th century fashion.
Top Art Exhibitions Europe 2024: New works and retrospectives
These art exhibitions in Florence, Paris, Prague and Venice will introduce new ideas and offer a fresh look at established names and movements.
4. Anselm Kiefer. Fallen Angels. 22 March – 21 July 2024
A solo exhibition of Anselm Kiefer’s seminal works offers an exceptional opportunity to immerse oneself in the vast and profound universe of his artistic vision. This major retrospective will showcase Kiefer’s monumental, soul-stirring artworks, and you can expect an interplay of signature themes such as memory, destruction, war and existence. The exhibition will include a selection of pieces from Kiefer’s illustrious career, alongside new works .
Where? Palazzo Strozzi, Florence
Visit if you love…dark vibes, large-scale installations.
5. Arte Povera. 9 October 2024 – 24 March 2025
Later this year, look out for the unmissable exhibition tracing the origins and development of Arte Povera. Born in the 1960s, this Italian art movement redefined artistic expression by using unconventional materials to address social and political issues. Visitors will be able to see works by thirteen key artists, including Giuseppe Penone, Mario Merz, Jannis Kounellis and Michelangelo Pistoletto.
Where? Bourse de Commerce, Paris
Visit if you love…everyday objects as art, Italian artists.
6. Elmgreen & Dragset: READ. until 22 April 2024
For their first solo exhibition in the Czech Republic, acclaimed artist duo Elmgreen & Dragset invite visitors into a public library. Not just any library, but a reimagined, minimalist space filled with works by Elmgreen & Dragset and a curated selection of pieces by sixty international artists. All explore the multifaceted relationship between books and the human experience, addressing issues of censorship, storytelling and knowledge in the digital age.
Where? Kunsthalle Praha, Prague
Visit if you love…books, conceptual art.
7. Mark Rothko. until 2 April 2024
Imagine Rothko’s 115 masterpieces hanging in the minimalist white space designed by Frank Gehry. One of the most talked-about European art exhibitions of 2024 immerses visitors in the colours, shapes and emotional depth conveyed by large-scale canvases. From early figurative works to iconic abstract paintings, the exhibition follows Rothko’s entire artistic journey as one of the most influential painters of the 20th century.
Where? Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris
Visit if you love…colour, Abstract Expressionism.
8. Biennale Arte 2024. 20 April – 24 November 2024
The 60th anniversary edition of the International Art Exhibition promises to be the most anticipated art event in Europe this year. And for the first time, it will be curated by a Latin American, Adriano Pedrosa. The 2024 theme, ‘Foreigners Everywhere’, will encourage visitors to reflect on the complex nature of identity, displacement and the world in constant flux. It will also challenge viewers to redefine their concept of ‘foreignness’.
Where? Venice
Visit if you love…global art trends, collective art exhibitions.
Empowering Perspectives: Art exhibitions 2024 featuring women artists
Art by women doesn’t need its own category, but for those interested in their unique perspective, there are a few upcoming exhibitions in Amsterdam, Stockholm, Barcelona and Düsseldorf that are worth checking out.
9. Viviane Sassen Phosphor: Art & Fashion. 20 September 2024 – 12 January 2025
Contemporary photography lovers are in for a visual treat with the upcoming retrospective of more than 200 works by Viviane Sassen. The exhibition will showcase the Dutch photographer’s multidisciplinary work, including photographs, collages and videos created over the past thirty years. The artist is world-renowned for exploring themes of gender, identity and the human body, using vibrant colours, dramatic lighting and surreal imagery.
Where? FOAM, Amsterdam
Visit if you love…collages, fashion photography.
10. Suzanne Valadon. 19 April – 1 September 2024
This major retrospective of Suzanne Valadon’s work traces her artistic development from model to Impressionists to fully independent artist. A self-taught painter, Valadon explored themes related to the female body, sexuality and motherhood from a feminine perspective. Visitors will be able to admire her bold, experimental approach, which paved the way for future generations of women artists.
Where? Mnac, Barcelona
Visit if you love…Impressionism, intimate portraits.
11. Cindy Sherman. 10 February – 9 June 2024
What happens when the legendary artist embraces a new medium to explore the ever-evolving nature of identity and representation in the digital age? This exhibition presents a new body of work by Cindy Sherman, in which she transforms distorted Instagram selfies into monumental tapestries. Ephemeral digital images are juxtaposed with the enduring nature of textiles, which promises to challenge visitors’ perceptions of authenticity and permanence.
Where? Fotografiska, Stockholm
Visit if you love…tapestries, postmodern art.
12. Hilma af Kint and Wassily Kandinsky. Dreams of the Future. 16 March – 11 August 2024
What could be better than an exhibition of masterpieces by a pioneering abstract artist? Only an exhibition of paintings by two such geniuses, in this case Hilma af Klint and Wassily Kandinsky, united in their shared exploration of form and colour. The Swedish mystic and the Russian co-founder of the abstract art movement both contributed to the development of abstraction. The exhibition invites art lovers to consider the similarities and differences in their individual perspectives.
Where? K20, Düsseldorf
Visit if you love…mysticism, power duos.
Design exhibitions 2024: a tribute to the ideas of the past and the future
If you’re in the mood for a major retrospective or some thought-provoking ideas, visit the exhibitions opening in London, Milan, Rome and Weil am Rhein.
13. Enzo Mari. 29 March – 8 September 2024
This London exhibition, curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Francesca Giacomelli, celebrates the life and legacy of the famous Italian designer. Enzo Mari was a champion of simple, functional and affordable design, whose clever ideas still have an influence on product designers in Italy and abroad. Visitors will be able to see more than 300 objects from Mari’s archive, including furniture, graphic design and books. Alongside Mari’s work, the exhibition will also showcase contemporary projects by British designers.
Where? The Design Museum, London
Visit if you love…post-war Italian design, children’s books.
14. Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Independence. 2 March – 22 September 2024
Have you ever heard of Tropical Modernism? If not, another London exhibition offers a fascinating insight into a lesser-known movement that has left a lasting legacy on the architecture of many African and South Asian countries. This unique style emerged in the post-colonial period as a response to the challenges posed by tropical climates and political conditions in newly independent states. The exhibition showcases key examples of the style, its architects and key features such as open courtyards and verandas.
Where? V&A, London,
Visit if you love…post-colonial architecture, Africa and Asia.
15. Inga Sempé. The Imperfect Home. April – September 2024
This immersive display of Inga Sempé’s talent will transport visitors into her world of charming yet functional design. Her creations for Alessi, Hay, Luceplan and Mattiazzi have achieved cult status among design lovers. Visitors are invited to see a scaled-down version of Sempė’s house, featuring her latest designs. The exhibition promises to delve deep into the French designer’s creative process, which focuses on creating a nurturing, whimsical home environment.
Where? Triennale, Milan
Visit if you love…contemporary design, playful decor.
16. AALTO Aino Alvar Elissa. The Human Dimension of Design. until 26 May 2024
This captivating retrospective celebrates the design and architectural legacy of the Aalto family and their special connection to Italy. From Alvar Aalto’s early furniture designs to his iconic architecture, the exhibition reveals the innovative and humanistic approach that characterised their projects. Visitors can admire furniture designs, glassware, textiles and stage sets, as well as original drawings and prototypes.
Where? Maxxi, Rome
Visit if you love…20th century architecture, Finnish design.
17. Science Fiction Design: From Space Age to Metaverse. 18 May 2024 – 11 May 2025
One of the most interesting design exhibitions 2024 will highlight the power of design to visualise and inspire new technologies and ways of living. From the futuristic styling of early space-age furniture to the sleek and innovative designs of virtual worlds, the show will explore designers’ fascination with science fiction. A must-see for anyone interested in both iconic objects from the Vitra Design Museum Collection and new commissions from contemporary designers.
Where? Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein
Visit if you love…Science Fiction, technology.
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