Since the 15th century, “bizarre” has been the ultimate description of realities that radically question the order of the world: exceptional psychological states, dreams, ornamental physical exaggerations, monsters, hair-raising situations, physical anomalies, but also daring ideas and ingenious creations.

The Bizarre! exhibition is the first to explore the term’s origins, tracing its legacy within book art and visual imagery that spans from the Renaissance through to 21st-century cosmologies. On view are unique, hand-drawn and printed image concepts from the Kunstbibliothek‘s (Art Library) treasure troves, as well as masterworks from the Gemäldegalerie (Old Masters Gallery) and the Kupferstichkabinett (Museum of Prints and Drawings). It’s a journey through the historical cosmos of one of the craziest words in the world.

A special exhibition of the Kunstbibliothek – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin