Art Museum

Städel Museum

Frankfurt, Germany

Städel Museum is an art museum in Frankfurt, Germany. 4 works from its collection are in this catalog, including Titian and Jean Baptiste Camille Corot.

About Städel Museum

Overview & Identity

The Städel Museum, officially known as the Städel Art Institute and Municipal Gallery (Städelsches Kunstinstitut und Städtische Galerie), is a prominent art museum located in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Founded through the bequest of banker Johann Friedrich Städel, the institution serves as both a museum and an art school. It houses a comprehensive collection of European art spanning seven centuries, from the early 14th century to the present day, with particular strengths in German, Dutch, Flemish, and Italian paintings from the 16th through the 18th centuries, as well as 19th-century German painting.

History & Founding

The museum was established following the death of Johann Friedrich Städel (1728–1816), who bequeathed his fortune and art collection in 1816 to found an art museum and art school. The institute officially opened its art collection to the public in 1817. Throughout its history, the museum has faced significant challenges, including the confiscation of 77 paintings and 700 prints in 1937 during the Nazi era's campaign against 'degenerate art.' In 1939, the entire collection was removed from the city to avoid destruction from Allied bombings and stored in a secure location, though the gallery itself was substantially damaged by bombing during the war.

Building & Architecture

A new museum building was constructed and opened in 1878 to accommodate the growing collection. In more recent times, the museum expanded its facilities with an underground wing designed specifically for the presentation of contemporary art. This modern extension was designed by a Frankfurt architectural firm, allowing the institution to display its modern holdings while preserving the historic structure. The museum also features a rooftop area known for its skyline view, which has become a notable architectural and social feature of the institution.

Collection Highlights & Notable Holdings

The Städel Museum's collection is particularly rich in works from the 16th through the 18th centuries, covering major European schools including German, Dutch, Flemish, and Italian art. A standout work in the collection is 'Goethe in the Roman Campagna' (1787), an oil on canvas by Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein, which is widely recognized as a masterpiece of German Neoclassicism. The museum also holds significant 19th-century German paintings and works by 20th-century German artists, reflecting its commitment to representing the full spectrum of European art history.

Significance & Modern Developments

In 2012, the Städel Museum was honored with a prestigious award, recognizing its contributions to the cultural landscape. To mark its 200-year anniversary in 2017, the museum undertook a major digital expansion, significantly enlarging its activities and outreach. This initiative included making more than 22,000 works from its collection available digitally, allowing for a virtual stroll through 700 years of art. The museum also maintains a dedicated conservation department that performs essential conservation and restoration work on the collection, ensuring the preservation of these cultural treasures for future generations.