Barbara Visser's 'Superposition' Explores Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven's Elusive Legacy
Barbara Visser's exhibition 'Superposition – In Search of the Elusive Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven' at Kunstmuseum Den Haag examines the erasure of female artists from art history, focusing on Dada baroness Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven. The show is the first in the museum's 'Mix & Match' series, where contemporary artists reinterpret the collection. Visser, known for questioning authorship and the male genius myth, presents works including reconstructed interiors, failed 3D reproductions of Fountain (the iconic urinal often attributed to Marcel Duchamp), and the film 'Alreadymade II'. The exhibition also features anonymous female portraits by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Piet Mondriaan, and others. Visser's 2019 essay 'Dare we rewrite modern art history in favor of a woman?' argued that evidence for von Freytag-Loringhoven's role in Fountain was ignored. The show runs until July 5, 2026. Separately, the article draws parallels with Lena Dunham, whose memoir 'Famesick' (2026) discusses the burden of a famous name. Dunham used the alias Rose O'Neill to escape public scrutiny.
Key facts
- Barbara Visser's exhibition 'Superposition – In Search of the Elusive Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven' is at Kunstmuseum Den Haag until July 5, 2026.
- The show is the first in the museum's 'Mix & Match' series, inviting contemporary artists to engage with the collection.
- Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven (1874–1927) was a Dada performance artist and poet, often called the Dada baroness.
- Von Freytag-Loringhoven is controversially linked to the authorship of Marcel Duchamp's 'Fountain' (1917).
- Visser's 2019 essay argued that evidence for von Freytag-Loringhoven's role in 'Fountain' was dismissed by the art historical establishment.
- The exhibition includes a reconstruction of von Freytag-Loringhoven's interior, with a frog-skin bag, festive robes, and a messy bed.
- Works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Isaac Israëls, Karel Appel, Piet Mondriaan, and Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita are displayed.
- Lena Dunham's memoir 'Famesick' (2026) discusses the alienation of fame and her use of the alias Rose O'Neill.
Entities
Artists
- Barbara Visser
- Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven
- Lena Dunham
- Marcel Duchamp
- Gustav Klimt
- Egon Schiele
- Isaac Israëls
- Karel Appel
- Piet Mondriaan
- Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita
- Neeltje Maria Min
- Charley Toorop
- Rose O'Neill
Institutions
- Kunstmuseum Den Haag
- HBO
- Mister Motley
- Dinamo
Locations
- Den Haag
- Netherlands
- New York
- United States