The comprehensive retrospective shows key works from several creative phases of Hermann Max Pechstein (1881-1955).

Alongside Dresden and Berlin, fishing villages on the Baltic coast were his most important creative locations. From 1913, his works were presented to the Berlin public in the Fritz Gurlitt art salon. Wolfgang Gurlitt, owner of the gallery since 1907, also supported Pechstein's trip to the South Seas. On the Palau Islands, the expressionist painter sought a life in harmony with nature, but the First World War put an early end to his adventure. After the war, Pechstein found new creative energy in Berlin. In 1937, over 500 of his works were confiscated as part of the National Socialists' "Degenerate Art" campaign. Motifs painted from memory from his South Seas trip reappeared in bright colors in his late work.

Pechstein's special relationship with Gurlitt is highlighted in a Linz-specific focus. Over 100 works, including portraits, Baltic Sea paintings and South Sea motifs, are on display for the first time in Austria.