“Ever wondered where art history comes to life?” That’s precisely what the Paul-Clemen-Museum in Bonn offers. It is the art history museum of the University of Bonn. The Paul-Clemen-Museum opened its doors in 2013. However its roots stretch back much further.
Let’s step back to 1902. Art historian Paul Clemen began building the collection. By 1916, a dedicated sculpture hall was established. It was designed specifically for this purpose. By 1944, the collection had grown. It included roughly 600 plaster casts. These casts spanned the Middle Ages through the Renaissance and Modern periods. They served as invaluable teaching aids. Unfortunately, disaster struck in October 1944. A bombing raid destroyed the hall. Remnants of the collection were stored away. They were placed within the Art History Institute in the 1950s.
Fast forward to 1987. Heijo Klein began the careful work of cataloging surviving objects. In 1989, the public got a glimpse of these treasures. The exhibition was called “A Glimpse into the Cast Collection of the Art History Institute.” The Stadtmuseum Siegburg provided crucial support. This support enabled the re-establishment of a sculpture hall. By 1993, Heijo Klein opened a permanent exhibition. It featured 50 carefully selected pieces. These were displayed in the foyer of the Institute.
In 2008, Harald Wolter-von dem Knesebeck’s appointment marked a new chapter. It was the beginning of a systematic museum development. Finally, on November 7, 2013, the Paul-Clemen-Museum officially opened.
Today, the Paul-Clemen-Museum displays around 300 plaster casts in its permanent exhibition. The museum also hosts regular special and temporary exhibitions. Student tour guides take visitors on journeys through time. They travel from Strasbourg to Florence and Byzantium. The collection features casts and artworks by Uta von Naumburg and Michelangelo.
The Paul-Clemen-Museum’s collection includes more than just plaster casts. There are also original works and replicas of modern readymades. The KHI’s photography collection holds many historical photographs. These photos document lost artworks. They also show the condition of pieces at various points in time. The KHI also owns numerous prints. These prints are used for teaching, research, and exhibitions. The collection of historical teaching materials offers insights into media history. It also demonstrates the teaching methods of the field.
The plaster cast collection, dating back to 1902, offers valuable study material. The collection continues to expand. A new Italy section has been added recently. The Paul-Clemen-Museum has a growing collection of contemporary works. It also features selected teaching remakes of modern art. The Paul-Clemen-Museum is located at Poststrasse 26. This is right in the heart of Bonn.
The Paul-Clemen-Museum is more than just a collection of casts. It’s a dynamic space where art history is actively explored. The Paul-Clemen-Museum is a place where the past informs the present. It provides a space for dialogue and discovery.