European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 21, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Museum to work of Ernst Kirchner by Hanns Neuerburg the associated press More than a half Century after Ernst Ludwig Kirchner killed himself after being outlawed by the nazis As a degenerate artist Quot a new museum exclusively dedicated to his work has opened in the Alpine resort of Davos Switzerland where he spent most of his adult life. More than 500 works by Kirchner a leading i representative of German expressionism Are already attracting a steady flow of visitors to the strictly functional construction of Glass and Concrete cubes. A collection of sketchbooks and photographs offers vast research opportunities for Art historians. The $9 million j museum and its contents Are a gift from roman n. Ketterer a wealthy expatriate Cerman dealer collector and a family foundation. A the burghers of Davos voted overwhelmingly last year to make available the valuable communal ground next to a Plush hotel. Kirchner co founder of the pre a world War i Quot die Brucke Quot group of German expressionists which included such other big names As Emil Nolde Erich Heckel and Karl Schmidt Rottluff moved Here in 1917. By then tense paintings including sardonic views of Berlin Street scenes i and masterful woodcuts had already made him a widely known artist. He came Here in search of a cure for his morphine addiction anti persistent fits of depression following a mental and nervous breakdown. In the new environment he turned chiefly to landscapes and local subjects. Most of the paintings Watercolours drawings and woodcuts in display in the new museum were done after he settled in Davos. Exhibits also include a carved wooden bed he did for Erna his lifelong companion. Of top importance for Art historians however Are. Collections of letters and of 160 sketchbooks filled with about 9,000 drawings and countless personal notes sometimes even Only shopping lists and other banalities. Kirchner also was a passionate photographer arid Many photos As Well As thousands of Glass negatives Are still to be fully assessed. They Are Likely to yield a close look at the Fth two works by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner a the Drinken self portrait Quot left and the red Tower in Hatte. Way he worked because they often show several stages of the birth of a painting. Even before Adolf Hitler seized Power in neighbouring Germany Kirchner wrote to a Friend that he feared such an occurrence would mean War. Later he strangely hoped for a while that his Art would be especially appreciated under the new leadership. But his Hopes were brutally dashed when 639 of his works were seized As Quot degenerate Quot in a purge of German museums Quot making him after Emil Nolde and Erich Heckel no. 3 on the nazi hit list Quot said Gabriele Lohberg the new museum s curator. An exhibit of degenerate Art opened by Hitler in Munich in 1937, included 32 works by Kirchner. Quot i am a German Painter now a defamed Painter Quot he wrote to a Friend. Quot Well i did not look for that i have to Bear it Bear it with  actually he was already haunted by fears. Quot there Are Many notes that make Plain that he was completely desperate Quot Lohberg said. Quot every year he had to renew his passport at the German consulate in Bern and was afraid that they would arrest him there and put him into a concentration Camp in  he was seized by new fits of depression jagged. Features in his last self portrait also on display Ere seem to reflect mounting harassment Quot after Austria was annexed by Hitler in March 1938, Kirchner became really Panicky Quot Lohberg said. Quot he feared that Switzerland was the next country to be . Less than three months later he suggested to Erna that they kill themselves. Alarmed she called their physician Friend. She was still on the phone when she heard two shots. Kirchner had killed himself with two shots through the heart. He had just turned 50. Paintings by Kirchner hang in Many museums worldwide including new York s museum of modern Art. Davos a place normally associated with skiing hiking and convention ering now has the most comprehensive collection. Aroma san Giuseppe Church Pozzuoli suburb of Naples feb. 7.20,Luxembourg. Die Kirch a tattle of the bulge memorial exhibition historical museum. Permanent  Netherlands Amsterdam Crete the Cradle of Europe Allard Pierson museum through March 27. Amsterdam a the other India tropical museum. Through  Pompeii exhibition Nieuwe Kirk new Church through mid april. A. Amsterdam discarding the Brush Gao Qipei and the Art of fingerprinting Rijk museum through feb. 28. Amsterdam the breakfast project 51 cartoons by s t women cartoonists Melk Weg gallery feb 17, Amsterdam 500 years of tobacco in Europe tropical museum through oct 9. Spain Valencia Hamish Fulton s works Ivam Centre Julio Conzalez through feb. 14. Switzerland avos newly constructed Ernst Ludwig Kirchner museum now open. Features the artist s Oil paintings water Solors woodcuts photographs negatives letters and 160 sketchbooks containing More than 9,000 drawings. Lausanne a Roy Lichtenstein re spec Tirfe Musee d Art Contemp Orain through Ian. 31. Lucerne a Christmas cribs historic Hes museum Luzern through feb 7, Lugano a Cinema and fashion exhibition galleria Cottardo through feb. 13. Photographs of fashions and film throughout the world from the 1920s to the 1980s.vaduz a Rubens and the flemish masters Staat Liche Kunts Ammlung through May 31.united kingdom Cirencester England a arms and Armour the British civil War co minium museum through March 28. Coventry England a Flora photographic Mead cattery Jan. 23-March 7, Edinburgh Scotland a dynasty the Royal House of Stewart National gallery of Scotland. Permanent exhibition. Show includes jewels worn by Mary Queen of scots. Edinburgh Scotland a Scotland observed National gallery of Scotland through feb. 28. Liverpool a pop Art Tate gallery feb. 17-april 18. Featuring artworks by Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol. London a world of drawings and Watercolours Park Lane hotel Piccadilly through Jan. 24. London a Art 93, design Center through Jan. 24. London a history of torture Tower of London. Includes thumbscrews the rack execution Block and a. Permanent exhibition. London a Gravity and Grace the changing condition of sculpture Hayward gallery Jan. 21 March 14,. London a Howard Carter before tutankhamen British museum through May 31. The life of Howard Carter the discoverer of King Tut s Tomb is explored through letters diaries photographs and Watercolours. London a the frieze of life Edvard Munch National gallery through feb. 7. London a works by Walter Sickert Royal Academy through feb. 14. London a news from the front the. History of Reuters news Agency Imperial War museum through feb. 28,. London a scandinavian design design museum through feb. 2b. Scandinavian Street furniture graphics and Domestic equipment on display. London a Spring stamped British philatelic exhibition Royal horticultural Halls March 2-7. Annual stamp show. London a Alamein Victory in the Deserf Imperial War museum through March 31. London a the great age of Watercolours 1750-1850, Royal Academy through april 11, features 300 Watercolour paintings by such artists As . Turner John Constable William Blake Samuel Palmer John sell Cotman and Edward Lear. London a International exhibition of wildlife photography natural history museum through May 4. Features 140 photographs from a Competition that attracted 10,000 entrants from 40 countries. Categories include insect and animal behaviour primates in peril and endangered wildlife. Melrose Scotland a Teddy Bear collection Teddy Melrose Scotland. Permanent exhibition. A Windsor England a Crown jewels of the world 47-50 peas cod St. Permanent exhibition. January 2h 1993 str Pes Magaz be