The heavy industry of the Ruhr region has fascinated painters and draughtsmen since the late 19th century. In their works, they captured the now often vanished plants, the changes to the landscape and the effects on people and the environment.

Industrial painting developed between the academic art movements and photography. From euphoric to critical, the paintings reflect various social and political attitudes towards industry. In addition to exterior and interior views, landscapes and depictions of workers, the exhibition shows their romantic and ideological traits and introduces individual artists.

Ludwig Schönefeld comes from the Ruhr area. Over three decades, the communications expert and historian has collected industrial depictions by both well-known and many unknown artists. Since 2022, the collection of over 1,500 objects has been in the care of the Ruhr Museum. Around 250 paintings and prints have been selected for the exhibition.