Ever wondered how a museum can rise from the ashes of war? The Museum Folkwang, Altbau in Essen, stands as a testament to cultural resilience. This is a place where art triumphed over destruction.
The original Folkwang Museum was founded in Hagen in 1902. Karl Ernst Osthaus, a banker’s son, had the vision. It became Europe’s first museum of contemporary art. In 1922, most of the important works moved to Essen. Except for a period under the National Socialists, the museum thrived. Today, it is a leading museum of Classic Modernism.
Standing here, you can almost feel the echoes of the past. The Altbau, or old building, is a landmark. Essen was largely destroyed during World War II. It seemed unlikely the city would rebuild the museum. The collection had been decimated by the “Degenerate Art” campaign.
But Essen, together with the Folkwang Museum Association, surprised everyone. In 1947, the newly formed board pushed for reconstruction. Saved artworks were initially housed at Schloss Hugenpoet near Kettwig. The museum’s spirit was kept alive even outside the city.
One of the Goldschmidt villas survived. It was partially renovated using a donation from the museum association. This allowed many exhibits to return to Essen. As the museum slowly regained its footing, the board decided on a new building. They chose not to rebuild the original 1920s structure.
In the early 1950s, a competition was held. The design by architect Werner Kreutzberger and Erich Hösterey was selected. After some delays, Horst Loy was brought in as a consultant. He refined Kreutzberger and Hösterey’s plans.
Construction began in 1956. Completed in 1960, the building complex consists of two structures. A glass entrance hall connects them. The two-story administration building is clad in basalt lava. It still houses a lecture hall, offices, a library, and collection rooms.
The single-story exhibition building features a facade of glass and natural stone. It is designed to shield the interior from busy Bismarckstraße. The atrium design echoes the former Körner building. It forms a rectangular structure with two inner courtyards. A garden hall separates the courtyards.
Light floods the exhibition rooms through large floor-to-ceiling windows. Some rooms also have skylights. The garden hall offers seating. Its glass facade blends seamlessly with the idyllic courtyards.
Walking from Bismarckstraße to Kahrstraße, you first see the administration building. Then, the exhibition wing comes into view. A large window front allows passersby to glimpse inside. This continues the founder’s idea of keeping art accessible.
Karl Ernst Osthaus envisioned Folkwang as a “Volkshalle”. This translates to “hall for the people”. It was meant to unite art and life. It should be open to everyone in the Ruhr region. This vision continues today.
In 2010, the Karl-Ernst-Osthaus-Saal was added for education. That same year, David Chipperfield designed a new building. His design echoes the Altbau’s courtyards and large windows. The entrance was moved to Bismarckstraße. The Altbau’s glass corridors invite visitors to stroll and linger. Unlike many museums, there is no set route. New corridors and partitions encourage exploration.
The central garden hall allows visitors to relax. They can appreciate both art and nature. A lamella structure, installed during the Altbau renovation in 2010, protects the exhibits. It ensures optimal lighting.
Today, the Altbau displays masterpieces from the 19th and 20th centuries. It is one of the most significant post-war museum buildings. The Museum Folkwang stands as a symbol of Essen’s cultural rebirth. Its architecture embodies the spirit of art for all.