The museum was built in 1964 as a 'museum of light' to provide ideal viewing conditions for three-dimensional works.
Wilhelm Lehmbruck’s 'Die Kniende' (The Kneeling Woman) is considered the signature piece of the collection.
The museum complex is situated directly within a 10-hectare sculpture park, which is free to enter independently of the museum.
The design utilizes modular glass pavilions to create an interplay between natural sunlight and the physical forms of the statues.
The collection features extensive holdings of German Expressionism in sculpture.
The museum holds one of the most comprehensive collections of sculptures by Joseph Beuys in the region.
The onsite building itself is a protected historic monument due to its pioneering modernist museum architecture.
The Lehmbruck Museum is a premier institution dedicated to modern and contemporary international sculpture. It is housed in a purpose-built glass complex designed by Manfred Lehmbruck, son of the sculptor Wilhelm Lehmbruck. The architecture features high ceilings and transparent walls, intentionally blurring the line between the indoor exhibition spaces and the surrounding Immanuel-Kant-Park. The collection centers on the work of Wilhelm Lehmbruck while expanding to include significant modern masters such as Giacometti, Moore, and Tinguely. The museum grounds serve as a sculpture garden where monumental works are integrated into the natural landscape. Rotating exhibitions focus on themes of classical modernism and contemporary spatial art. It remains one of the few museums worldwide focused specifically on the sculptural medium.
From the center of the glass-walled main pavilion, capturing the sculpture against the backdrop of the park trees.
Walk through the connecting Immanuel-Kant-Park to see the large-scale outdoor installations before heading inside.
Check the museum's digital calendar for temporary installation rotations, as some gallery wings change exhibits quarterly.
Visit the dedicated Lehmbruck research library or archives if you have an academic interest in 20th-century art history.
Do not attempt to touch the sculptures, as the open-floor layout makes them appear more accessible than standard museum exhibits.
Closed on Mondays.
