The exhibition ‘Defiance: Jewish Women and Design in the Modern Era’ highlights the impressive contributions of Jewish artists and designers to the emancipation and modernisation of German society in the early 20th century.
Image gallery
Dorothea Kuttner, Handgeknüpftes Sitzkissen mit einem verzerrten Hakenkreuz aus Protest gegen die Vorgaben der Dozentin, 1920–1924, Schenkung von Silvia Rieder
From 11 July to 23 November 2025, the Jewish Museum Berlin is hosting a groundbreaking exhibition dedicated to the achievements of Jewish women designers.
The presentation highlights the often-forgotten biographies of these women and traces their significant role in the social and cultural transformation of the time – as women, Jews, and artists. With around 300 exhibits by over 50 designers, the world's first group exhibition on this topic offers an insight into the diversity of their work.
These pioneers, who fought their way to outstanding positions in their fields despite social exclusion and discrimination, had their lives and work tragically interrupted by the Nazi regime. Some found a new beginning abroad, but most of their names and works have been suppressed from German art and cultural history to this day.
A wide range of design and craftsmanship is on display, from goldsmithing, textile art, ceramics and wood carving to fashion design and graphic design.
The exhibition highlights the unbroken creativity and cultural heritage of these remarkable women, whose works and stories are finally receiving the attention they deserve.
