Ludwig van Beethoven brought the Viennese Classical period to its peak and, at the same time, paved the way for Romantic music. To this day, he is regarded as one of the most important ambassadors of European culture. In 2027, his hometown of Bonn will mark the 200th anniversary of his death by honoring the city’s famous son with concerts, events, and exhibitions.
As part of this anniversary, the Beethoven-Haus Bonn is bringing together the world’s most-performed classical composer with another icon of cultural history: From September 9, 2026, through April 5, 2027, it will present the special exhibition “Beethoven by Warhol.” The focus is on Andy Warhol’s silkscreen series “Beethoven 1987,” which was created just a few weeks before his death and is among his final works in printmaking. As a template, the American Pop Art artist combined Joseph Karl Stieler’s famous portrait of Beethoven with musical notation from the autograph manuscript of the “Moonlight Sonata.” Both motifs come from the collections of the Beethoven-Haus. The series was published by Bonn-based gallery owner Hermann Wünsche; it was first presented to the public in 1989 during the Beethovenfest at the Beethovenhalle.
Taking the creation of this series as its starting point, the exhibition—featuring more than 100 works—comprehensively traces the development of Warhol’s Beethoven portfolio for the first time and situates it within his overall body of work. Visitors can discover previously unknown Beethoven drawings, trial proofs, silkscreen prints on canvas, album covers, and other historical documents. Among the special exhibits is a recently rediscovered LP cover from 1958, which Warhol designed together with the designer Reid Miles.
Other Highlights of the Anniversary
Beethoven fans visiting the exhibition in Bonn between March 18 and 20 should combine their visit with a trip to the Chamber Music Festival. Daniel Hope and his musician friends will present musical worlds centered on Beethoven in the Chamber Music Hall and the Beethoven Hall.
Those who can’t make it to the “Beethoven by Warhol” exhibition until early April, on the other hand, will have the chance to attend one of the Beethovenfest concerts. The popular event will take place in 2027 with both an April and a September edition.
