From the radical modernity of Edvard Munch in Berlin to the avant-garde provocations of Sarah Lucas in London, Europe’s art scene this October is a captivating blend of history, culture, and the very essence of what it means to be human. Here are the most interesting exhibitions in Europe that you definitely must see this October:

1. ‘Edvard Munch – Magic of the North’ at the Berlinische Galerie (Berlin, Germany)
   Dates: 15 September 2023 – 22 January 2024
   Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, renowned for his iconic painting “The Scream,” challenged artistic norms with radical modernity. In this exhibition at the Berlinische Galerie, Munch’s profound relationship with Berlin comes to life through an array of paintings, prints, and photographs.
2. ‘Louise Bourgeois – Persistent Antagonism’ at the Belvedere Palace (Vienna, Austria)
   Dates: 22 September 2023 – 28 January 2024
   Delve into the mesmerizing world of French-American artist Louise Bourgeois at the Belvedere Palace. This exhibition explores her surrealistic paintings from the 1940s and engages viewers with carefully chosen sculptures, installations, and drawings that span her remarkable career.
3. ‘Marina Abramović’ at the Royal Academy of Arts (London, UK)
   Dates: 23 September 2023 – 1 January 2024
   This event is a journey through the groundbreaking career of Marina Abramović, a trailblazer in performance art. The exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts showcases pivotal moments from Abramović’s illustrious career through sculptures, videos, installations, and performances.
4. ‘Picasso: The Sacred and the Profane’ at the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza (Madrid, Spain)
   Dates: 4 October 2023 – 14 January 2024
   Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Pablo Picasso’s death, this exhibition explores his audacious approach to classical and Judeo-Christian themes. It features a juxtaposition of Picasso’s works with those of El Greco, Rubens, and others, offering a unique perspective on art and history.
5. ‘Anish Kapoor – Untrue Unreal’ at the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi (Florence, Italy)
   Dates: 7 October 2023 – 4 February 2024
   The transformative art of Anish Kapoor at the Palazzo Strozzi, where grand-scale sculptures and immersive installations guide visitors through Kapoor’s multifaceted artistic journey.
6. ‘El Greco / Tino Seghal’ at the Centro Botín (Santander, Spain)
   Dates: 7 October 2023 – 11 February 2024
   A unique dialogue between El Greco’s iconic painting “The Adoration of the Shepherds” and a new live work by German/Indian artist Tino Sehgal. The exhibition explores intergenerational care and emotional connections.
7. ‘1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair’ at Somerset House (London, UK)
   Dates: 12 October 2023 – 15 October 2023
   This Art Fair showcases the best of contemporary African art and the African diaspora. Over 60 international exhibitors present a diverse range of mediums, featuring established and emerging artists.
8. ‘Turning Heads: Bruegel, Rubens and Rembrandt’ at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts (Antwerp, Belgium)
   Dates: 20 October 2023 – 21 January 2024
   Delve into the emergence of the “tronie” genre with this curated collection of 76 exquisite masterpieces at the KMSKA, exploring the evolution of the tronie genre from the 15th to the 19th century.
9. ‘David Hockney: Drawing from Life’ at the National Portrait Gallery (London, UK)
   Dates: 2 November 2023 – 21 January 2024
   This major exhibition features iconic portraits by British painter David Hockney, who capturing the essence of individuals and their stories.
10. ‘Claude Gillot – Comedies, Fables & Arabesques’ at the Louvre Museum (Paris, France)
    Dates: 9 November 2023 – 12 February 2024
    Celebrate the artistic prowess of Claude Gillot at the Louvre Museum, where nearly 90 of his works are showcased, revealing his fascination with the comedic essence of the Italian Comedy.
11. ‘Max Oppenheimer: Expressionist Pioneer’ at Leopold Museum, Vienna
    Dates: 6 October 2023 – 25 April 2024
    Explore the pioneering expressionist works of Max Oppenheimer, showcasing his journey and influence within the art world.
12. ‘The Lost Mirror: Image of Jews and Judaism in the Middle Ages’ at Prado Museum, Madrid
    Dates: 10 October 2023 – 14 January 2024
    Journey through a medieval mirror reflecting the portrayal of Jews and conversos by Christians in Spain from 1285 to 1492.
13. ‘Nicole Eisenman: What Happened’ at Whitechapel, London
    Dates: 11 October 2023 – 14 January 2024
    Experience the diverse and inventive works of Nicole Eisenman, spanning paintings, sculptures, monoprints, animation, and drawings.
14. ‘Mike Kelley’s Ghost and Spirit’ at The Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection, Paris
    Dates: 13 October 2023 – 19 February 2024
    Exhibition is a retrospective featuring some of Mike Kelley’s most important and influential works.
15. ‘Munch’s Goya: Modern Prophecies’ at Munch Museum, Oslo
    Dates: 28 October 2023 – 11 February 2024
    Witness the intersection of Francisco de Goya and Edvard Munch’s art, highlighting Goya as a forerunner of modernism.
16. ‘Lotte Laserstein: A Divided Life’ at Moderna Museet, Malmö
    Dates: 11 November 2023 – 14 April 2024
    The works of the ground-breaking artist Lotte Laserstein, showcasing her career from the 1920s to her exile in Sweden.
17. ‘Marcel Duchamp and the Lure of the Copy’ at Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice
    Dates: 14 October 2023 – 18 March 2024
    The innovative world of Marcel Duchamp and his groundbreaking exploration of the concept of the copy.
18. ‘Mark Rothko’ at Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris Dates: 18 October 2023 – 2 April 2024
    The first retrospective in France dedicated to Mark Rothko, featuring a comprehensive collection of his influential works.
19. ‘Sarah Lucas: Happy Gas’ at Tate Britain, London
    Dates: 28 September 2023 – 14 January 2024
    Delve into the bold and provocative world of Sarah Lucas, exploring her artistic practice across sculpture, installation, and photography.
20. ‘Philip Guston’ at Tate Modern, London
    Dates: 5 October 2023 – 25 February 2024
    Explore the restlessly innovative works of Philip Guston, capturing the anxious and turbulent world he witnessed.
21. ‘Nan Goldin: This Will Not End Well’ at Stedelijk, Amsterdam
    Dates: 7 October 2023 – 28 January 2024
    Nan Goldin’s legendary view of human life through her iconic photographs, capturing intimacy, social issues, and more.
22. ‘Lee Ufan’ at Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart, Berlin
    Dates: 27 October 2023 – 10 March 2024
    The art of Lee Ufan, an influential representative of the Mono-ha school in Japan and the Dansaekhwa movement in Korea.