9 November 2025 — 1 February 2026

Opening: Sunday, 9 November, 3 pm

Rolf Nesch (1893-1975)

Salonausstellung

From 9 November, Villa Merkel will be showing works by Oberesslingen artist Rolf Nesch from its own collection in two cabinet rooms. The exhibition follows on from the presentation ‘Prägungen und Entfaltungen. Rolf Nesch (1893-1975), Nadira Husain (*1980)’ at the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart. On display are works from various creative phases of the artist, who emigrated to Norway in 1933 after the Nazi regime came to power. His art is characterised by his endeavour to merge material properties and visual design into a harmonious whole.

Rolf Nesch, Ragnhildrud, 1952
© VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2024

6 December 2025 – January 2026

Opening: Friday, 5 December, 7 pm

Guest exhibition by Esslinger Kunstverein:
Richard Merkle

The Esslinger Kunstverein's traditional annual exhibition at Villa Merkel in 2005 is dedicated to the work of Richard Merkle (*1962 in Dachau/ † 2022 Stuttgart). As a student of Joseph Kosuth, Merkle studied at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart and primarily produced works in the field of Minimal Art. Some of his works are now being presented in Esslingen, where he also lived and worked. The Esslinger Kunstverein is continuing its tradition and organising the guest exhibition at the turn of the year.

Curator: Christian Gögger

Richard Merkle, Picnic, 2018