Museum Folkwang

The museum's architectural history reflects its resilience and evolution. The original 1920s building was destroyed during World War II. In 1960, a new museum building was opened, designed by architects Werner Kreutzberger, Erich Hösterey, and Horst Loy, which became a celebrated example of post-war modernism with its transparent design and inner courtyards. In 2007, an international competition was won by David Chipperfield Architects to design an extension. The new building, opened in 2010, complements the 1960 structure with six volumes and four inner courtyards, creating a unified ensemble that emphasizes openness and natural light for the artworks.

The museum's collection is vast and diverse, featuring approximately 60,000 photographs, 350,000 posters, 12,000 drawings and prints, and around 600 paintings. The photographic collection, established as an independent department in 1978 (or 1979), is considered one of the finest in Europe. The holdings include significant works by 19th-century French painters like Renoir and Gauguin, as well as German Expressionists such as Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Erich Heckel, and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. The museum also holds extensive collections of ancient and non-European art, arts and crafts, and a large number of sculptures.

Museum Folkwang holds immense historical significance as a beacon of modern art that survived the Nazi era's 'degenerate art' campaign, during which over 1,400 works were confiscated and sold or destroyed. Its post-war reconstruction and the subsequent acquisition of new works symbolize the cultural redemption of Germany. The museum's unique approach of combining fine art with applied arts and photography set a precedent for modern museum practice. It remains a central institution for the study of modernism, continuing the legacy of Karl Ernst Osthaus's vision to make art an integral part of everyday life.

The museum is supported by the Folkwang Museumsverein e.V., an association with around 400 members, including legal entities and companies, which manages, expands, and publicizes the museum. The museum's operations are supervised by a board of trustees comprising representatives from the city of Essen, the museum association, and the Karl Ernst Osthaus Foundation. The Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation has been a key partner, funding fellowships for contemporary German photography since 1982 and financing the €55 million reconstruction and extension project completed in 2010.