Sex Work
A Cultural History
2 April to 25 October 2026
The history of sex work can be traced from antiquity to the present day. The prevailing image of humanity, the values that held sway, and who wielded power can all be seen in how society dealt with sex work. In some periods, sex work represented one of the few ways for women to generate an independent income. For a long time, hetaerae, prostitutes, courtesans, and nude dancers primarily played a motif role in the visual arts, at best perceived as muses. The fact that they also play a creative, artistic role is a perspective that is highlighted here. Together with a collective of researching sex workers, the Bundeskunsthalle presents art, cultural history, and archival material, guided by a central principle: Nothing about us without us!
Sex Work: A Cultural History is a further development of the exhibition With Legs Wide Open – A whore's ride through history, Schwules Museum Berlin, 2024