Nonsense, mischief and plutimication
Astrid Lindgren's World in Pictures
Off on an adventure with Pippi, Michel and Lotta
20.09.26 to 17.01.27
Courageous children, idyllic worlds, boundless adventures, but also mysterious places, enigmatic figures and mystical tales – all this and much more can be found in the stories of Astrid Lindgren.
With translations into more than a hundred languages, she is one of the world's most important and successful children's and young adult authors. Her books are inextricably linked to the illustrations, which have been masterfully drawn by various artists over decades. Sometimes they depict details of a story, sometimes they expand upon it, but they always play a crucial role in stimulating the imagination of (young) readers.
For the first time, the exhibition focuses on and comprehensively presents the artists who imaginatively and uniquely illustrate the books of the exceptional author. Using ink, watercolor, acrylic, and collage techniques, they delve deep into Astrid Lindgren's stories. They transport us to Bullerby, where Lisa and her friends roam freely through nature every day; to little Lotta on Noisy Street; to Lönneberga, where Emil gets up to mischief; to Madita in Birkenlund; and, of course, to Villa Villekulla, where Pippi Longstocking leads an independent childhood. They bring to life Karlsson on the Roof, Kalle Blomquist, Ronja the Robber's Daughter, the children of Saltkrokan, and many other characters.
Face – faces that, through their extraordinary artistic quality, have become etched into the collective memory across generations.
For the first time, an exhibition unites the most important Lindgren illustrators who shaped the appearance of Pippi, Emil, Lotta, and their friends in German-speaking countries and brought Lindgren's literary works to life visually: Jutta Bauer, Björn Berg, Katrin Engelking, Eva Eriksson, Astrid Henn, Volker Heydorn, Hans-Joachim Krantz, Horst Lemke, Rolf Rettich, Walter Scharnweber, Maria Nilsson Thore, Marit Törnqvist, and Ilon Wikland. Current research approaches to book illustration are combined with childhood nostalgia.
570 original illustrations, some on loan from Sweden and Estonia, as well as puppets from the Düsseldorf Marionette Theatre, invite you to experience the famous stories in a completely new way. Let's go into Astrid Lindgren's unique (picture) world!
The exhibition is sponsored by the Oberhausen Savings Bank and the Friends of the Ludwiggallery. In cooperation with the Swedish Embassy in Berlin. WDR 3 is the cultural partner.
exhibition program
Curator-led tour of the Astrid Lindgren exhibition with Linda Schmitz-Kleinreesink
Sunday, October 25, 2026, 15:XNUMX p.m
The guided tour is free of charge in conjunction with museum admission.
The number of participants is not limited. No reservations are necessary.
Guided tour in simple language – Team from Alsbachtal, association for people with physical and multiple disabilities
Saturday, November 14, 2026, 15 p.m.
The guided tour is free of charge in conjunction with museum admission.
The number of participants is not limited. No reservations are necessary.
Curator-led tour of the Astrid Lindgren exhibition with Dr. Sarah Hülsewig
Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 15 p.m
The guided tour is free of charge in conjunction with museum admission.
The number of participants is not limited. No reservations are necessary.
Curator-led tour of the Astrid Lindgren exhibition with Dr. Sarah Hülsewig
Sunday, December 13, 2026, 15 p.m
The guided tour is free of charge in conjunction with museum admission.
The number of participants is not limited. No reservations are necessary.