The museum was founded in 1902 in Hagen by Karl Ernst Osthaus before relocating to Essen in 1922.
Many of the museum's original holdings were confiscated as 'degenerate art' by the Nazi regime in 1937.
The institution houses one of the most important poster collections in the world, containing over 350,000 items.
The 2010 expansion designed by David Chipperfield added six new glass-roofed exhibition halls.
It is the home of the German Photographic Academy's historical archives.
The museum grounds feature a sculpture garden with works by artists like Richard Serra and George Rickey.
Museum Folkwang is internationally recognized for its extensive collection of 19th-century, modern, and contemporary art. It houses significant works by masters including Caspar David Friedrich, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, and Pablo Picasso. The museum is particularly renowned for its photography collection, which spans the history of the medium from its inception. The building itself is an architectural landmark designed by David Chipperfield, integrated into a landscaped garden setting. It maintains a large department dedicated to poster design and graphic arts. The museum frequently hosts high-profile temporary exhibitions that rotate throughout the year. Its core collection was founded by Karl Ernst Osthaus and has evolved to include major pieces of Surrealism and German Expressionism. The current architecture emphasizes natural light and seamless transitions between indoor exhibition galleries and outdoor courtyards.
The central glass-walled courtyards which offer a balanced intersection of modern architecture and greenery.
Prioritize visiting the permanent collection, which is often less crowded than temporary exhibition galleries.
Use the internal courtyards to take breaks between galleries; they provide quiet zones and natural light.
Check the museum's online calendar for rotating exhibitions, as some are time-sensitive and require advanced planning.
Attempting to view the entire collection in one visit; the depth of the archives requires focused attention.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a quiet volume and avoid flash photography in sensitive galleries.
