Discover Germany, Switzerland & Austria
|
Special Theme
|
All Eyes on Munich
Left: Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851), Coastal Terrain and Buildings, South of France or Italy (?), ca. 1834. Tate: Accepted by the nation as part of the Turner Bequest 1856 Right: Franz Marc, Blaues Pferd I, 1911, Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus und Kunstbau München, Bernhard und Elly Koehler Stiftung 1965; donation from the estate Bernhard Koehler sen., Berlin, acquired by Franz Marc
THE LENBACHHAUS: A JEWEL OF CONTEMPORARY ART "Located in the historic villa of the famous painter Franz von Lenbach near Königsplatz, the Lenbachhaus is one of the most beautiful places in Munich," says Public Relations Manager Claudia Weber. “In our rooms, visitors can still experience the old splendour of the estate, which was built according to Italian models. The idyllic garden with its splashing fountains is a small oasis, and the shimmering rooms of the artists' residence, whose intimate proportions have been preserved even after the renovation by the renowned architects Foster + Partner, cast a spell on everyone.” The modern museum exhibits the works of Munich-based as well as international artists from the 19th century to the present. The centrepiece and visitor magnet is undoubtedly the world's largest collection 84
|
Issue 11 2
|
December 2023
of works by the Blue Rider, one of the most important groups of avant-garde artists of the early 20th century. "This collection was initiated by donations from Gabriele Münter, the painter and companion of Wassily Kandinsky," explains Weber, "including around 90 oil paintings by Kandinsky, about 330 watercolours and drawings, his sketchbooks, reverse glass paintings and prints, plus over 25 paintings by Gabriele Münter and numerous works on paper, as well as works by important artists such as Franz Marc, August Macke, Paul Klee, Alexej Jawlensky and Marianne von Werefkin. With this outstanding donation, the Städtische Galerie in Lenbachhaus has become a world-class museum," says the manager. Another focus of the Lenbachhaus collection is contemporary art. Works by renowned artists such as Joseph Beuys,
Gerhard Richter, Günter Fruhtrunk, Rupprecht Geiger, Maria Lassnig, Sarah Morris, Isa Genzken and others underscore the museum's exceptional reputation. Currently, the exhibition Turner. Three Horizons is captivating many visitors. "Joseph Mallord William Turner is still regarded as an innovator and pioneer of modernism," explains Weber. "In his paintings, colour took on a previously unknown freedom. Early on, he began to explore the possibilities of landscape painting. Soon his works were so clearly detached from the descriptive nature that, in their reduction to colour, light and atmosphere, they questioned the representational function of the painting. In doing so, he both amazed and provoked his contemporaries. Today, posterity celebrates the surprising modernity of his works." Whether it's the Blue Rider or other worldfamous artists: The Lenbachhaus is the best place to see famous contemporary art. www.lenbachhaus.de/en
TEXT: SILKE HENKELE
The Lenbachhaus Munich is one of the most important cultural attractions in the Bavarian capital. Much more than a museum, it is a place where art history comes alive and where visitors can immerse themselves in a world of colour and creative genius.