2_2_DiscoverGermany_February15_Issue23:Scan Magazine 1
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Discover Germany | Special Theme | Finest Galleries & Museums Germany
The art headquarters of Düsseldorf The Museum Kunstpalast Düsseldorf invites guests of all ages to enjoy a collection with more than 100,000 kinds of art objects. The beautifully designed building with its historical facade is home to art treasures that are certainly worth a visit, or two.
Main image: Museum Kunstpalast. Photo: Geerd Jacobs Top: Rubens gallery in the Museum Kunstpalast. Photo: Andreas Schiblon Above: The museum's KristallBar is great for events. Photo: Jürgen Vogel
TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE | PHOTOS: MUSEUM KUNSTPALAST DÜSSELDORF
The Museum Kunstpalast resulted from the successful merger of the Kunstmuseum (art museum) and the Kunstpalast (art palace) in 2001. The founding of the collection, however, goes back to around 1710 when the elector Johann Wilhelm von der Pfalz began collecting paintings together with his wife Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici. Today the Museum Kunstpalast is the official art museum of the state capital, Düsseldorf. Press officer Marina Schuster adds: “It plays an important role in the cultural landscape of North Rhine-Westphalia but also receives prestigious international attention when there are exhibitions such as Caravaggio, Bonjour Russia, El Greco and Andreas Gursky.” True highlights are the Rubens gallery and the glass museum Hentrich, containing
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over 10,000 objects. The Museum Kunstpalast was one of the first in Germany to become a partner of google art projects, making a virtual visit possible from anywhere. The museum also offers a great programme for younger guests, whilst ensuring it stays up to date on all social media platforms. Its multi-purpose auditorium, Robert-Schumann-Saal has also proved to be a fantastic location for cultural events. This year the museum is proud to host an exhibition of 60-80 large-size photographs by famous filmmaker Wim Wenders, who has gained an international reputation for films such as Wings of Desire and Pina. Schuster explains: “Different from his films, Wenders stays away from modern techniques when taking photographs. His pictures are created in analogue, without arti-
ficial lights or tripods.” The exhibition runs from 18 April to 16 August 2015, and marks the Düsseldorf-born artist’s 70th birthday. From 10 October 2015, visitors can look forward to the first German solo show of the Spanish baroque painter Francisco de Zurbarán, which will showcase around 70 pieces.“Zurbarán is, next to Velázquez, not only regarded as one of the most significant representative of the Golden Age of Spain, he also counts as one of the greatest of European painters,”Schuster says. When it comes to art, words can only describe so much, and there is more to discover at the Museum Kunstpalast Düsseldorf. Certainly a must-see during your next visit. www.smkp.de