The museum's iconic golden facade is made from an aluminum-copper alloy that oxidizes to create a warm, metallic glow.
The original villa, built in the late 19th century, was designed in the style of an Italian Renaissance palazzo.
Gabriele Münter gifted a massive archive of over 1,000 works by Kandinsky and other Blue Rider artists to the museum on her 80th birthday in 1957.
Franz von Lenbach, the original owner, was a famous portraitist often referred to as the 'Painter Prince' during his lifetime.
The museum serves as the headquarters for the Gabriele Münter and Johannes Eichner Foundation.
The Lenbachhaus is world-renowned for housing the largest collection of works by the Blue Rider (Der Blaue Reiter) group, including paintings by Wassily Kandinsky, Gabriele Münter, and Franz Marc. The museum is located in the former villa of the painter Franz von Lenbach, which was expanded with a modern wing designed by the architectural firm Foster + Partners. The villa retains a historical atmosphere, contrasting sharply with the adjacent contemporary extension characterized by its golden aluminum tube facade. The permanent collection covers 19th-century academic painting, Art Nouveau, and 20th-century avant-garde movements. Beyond painting, the museum features extensive photography, video art, and installation pieces. It functions as both a exhibition space and a site for scholarly research into art history. The facility includes a restaurant with an outdoor terrace overlooking the Old Botanical Garden.
The golden exterior facade from the street level or the grand staircase inside the new wing.
Prioritize the top floor of the new wing for the best natural light viewing of the Blue Rider masterpieces.
Visit the 'Lenbach-Villa' section specifically to see the historical studios and period-accurate furnishings.
Check the museum website for temporary exhibition updates as the collection rotation is frequent.
Do not overlook the historical villa rooms; many visitors focus only on the modern wing.
Closed on Mondays.
