Kunstmuseen Krefeld

The Kunstmuseen Krefeld is a group of three art museums in Krefeld, Germany, focused on modern and contemporary art. It includes the Kaiser Wilhelm Museum, Haus Lange and Haus Esters. Since the late 1950s, the museums have gained international recognition. Katia Baudin has led the institution since 2016. The Kaiser Wilhelm Museum opened in 1897 as a memorial to Kaiser Wilhelm I. Its collection grew under directors like Friedrich Deneken and Max Creutz, who expanded holdings in decorative arts and contemporary fine art. The museums are worth visiting for their pioneering role in collecting avant-garde works. In the 1950s, director Paul Wember acquired early pieces by Yves Klein, Tàpies and Beuys at low prices. Haus Lange, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, became a key venue for contemporary art. Ulrich Lange donated the house for exhibitions, and Haus Esters was later added as another space for temporary shows. The Kaiser Wilhelm Museum’s murals by Johan Thorn Prikker were preserved during the Nazi era. Visitors find three distinct sites. The Kaiser Wilhelm Museum displays modern and contemporary works in a renovated building with restored murals. Haus Lange and Haus Esters are two-storey villas with large glass windows designed by Mies van der Rohe. The villas’ interiors blend with their gardens, creating open, light-filled spaces. The museums’ collections include paintings, sculptures and graphic art from the 19th century to today. Temporary exhibitions highlight emerging and established artists. The setting combines historic architecture with modern design.