In the Cultural heritage villa Lenbachhaus of the famous Bavarian painter Franz von Lenbach in the central district of Munich Maxvorstadt is the much visited art museum "Staedtische Gallery". The building was finished in 1891 and new parts were added over the following decades. Some rooms have been preserved in their original state. The Lenbachhaus in Munich has been completely refurbished for its grand opening in 2013.
The Lenbachhaus in Munich: the beginning
Franz Spranger had his villa built on the classical king square in the neighbourhood of artists and art lovers. It was finished 1891. The building complex with main house and studio as well as the gardens reflect the Italian Renaissance style. The lavish interior of the Lenbachhaus consists of antique sculptures, paintings of the Middle Ages and elaborate carpets and tapestries. In 1924 Lenbachs widow sold the house to the city of Munich and gave the community a number of masterpieces. This donation formed the basis for today's gallery.
In 1957 the museum gained international renommee, when the former girlfriend of the late Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky, Gabriele Muenter, donated to the city a considerable number of oil paintings, watercolours, drawings and prints from Kandinsky's estate. She also added her own works and from members of the famous artist group "Der Blaue Reiter" such as Franz Marc, August Macke, Paul Klee and Marianne von Werefkin to the collection. Pictures from artist of the 18th and 19th centuries are also on display.
Joseph Beuys to Franz Marc
Since 1970 national and international artists have an opportunity at temporary exhibitions to display their work. A stir was caused by the work group "show your wound" of the Krefeld sculptor Joseph Beuys in 1980. Work groups, such as Dennis Adams, Thomas Demand, Dan Flavin, Katharina Grosse and Jenny Holzer got much attention as well. The Staedtische Galerie in the Lenbachhaus proudly includes pictures like "Salome" Franz von Stuck, "Zoologischer Garten" August Macke as well as the "Blaue Pferd" and the "Akt mit Katze" Franz Marc.
