Freaks of Nature
Exhibition flyer
Duration: April 11 to October 26, 2025
The vernissage will take place on April 9, 2025 from 7 pm in the east wing of the palace. Admission is free.
Humans have been creating hybrid creatures for over 40,000 years: Mythological creatures such as the sphinx, minotaur and pegasus populate mythology, while dragons, unicorns and fauns inspire the imagination. However, the admiration for hybrid creatures goes beyond myths; it also has a scientific counterpart in nature. Hybrids, i.e. creatures that arise from the crossing of two species, play an important role in evolution. They often combine the best characteristics of both parents and thus provide valuable insights for biology and breeding. Well-known examples are mules, which combine the strength of a horse with the endurance and sure-footedness of a donkey. But even curious natural wonders such as the platypus, which combines characteristics of various animal species, still fascinate scientists today.
The exhibition extends across all the museum rooms at Schloss Benrath and invites visitors to discover the subject from different angles. It combines perspectives of art and natural science: sculptures by the artist Thomas Grünfeld, who combines animal specimens in an astonishing way to create completely new creatures, are complemented by zoological specimens, handcrafted objects and historical depictions from myths and legends.