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Artists' Houses in Bavaria: Living, Working and Exhibiting

Immerse yourself in the world of artists such as Gabriele Münter, Albrecht Dürer and Rupprecht Geiger and discover the inspiring places where they lived and worked in Bavaria. These artists' houses and studios not only offer insights into their lives and work, but are also architectural masterpieces that combine art gallery, studio, living space and art museum in one.

Gelbe Villa mit Garten
© Pixabay

Visit museums in Nuremberg and Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz, which were designed entirely according to the ideas of their artists, and experience works of art from Art Nouveau to contemporary art in a unique atmosphere.

Künstlerhaus Gasteiger (Artist House Gasteiger), Holzhausen

Außenansicht des Künstlerhauses im Sommer
© Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung, Maria Scherf www.schloesser.bayern.de

Visit the Künstlerhaus Gasteiger (Artist House Gasteiger) on Lake Ammersee and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Art Nouveau! Discover the lovingly designed house, the idyllic farm garden and the historic farm buildings. Impressive Art Nouveau rooms, historical photographs, sculptures by Mathias Gasteig and an exquisite collection of Anna Sophie Gasteig's paintings await you in the museum. An unforgettable experience for art and culture enthusiasts!

Gabriele Münter-Haus (Gabriele Münter House), Murnau

The Gabriele Münter-Haus (Gabriele Münter House), which Gabriele Münter acquired in 1909, became an important meeting place for the avant-garde. Today it is richly decorated with paintings, prints and reverse glass paintings by Kandinsky and Münter. The collected folk art and the self-painted furniture give a vivid impression of the atmosphere that prevailed here before the First World War.

Wassily Kandinsky; Portrait of Gabriele Münter, 1905 © Lenbachhaus München
Kandinsky's bedroom in the Münter House in Murnau, with a chest of drawers painted by Gabriele Münter/ Painting by Gabriele Münter: Still Life with a Yellow Bird, 1935 © Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus und Kunstbau München

"My thing is seeing, painting and drawing. Not the talking."

Gabriele Münter

KirchnerHAUS Museum (Kirchner House Museum), Aschaffenburg

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Self-Portrait as a Sick Man (The Sick Man), 1918/30, © Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen - Sammlung Moderne Kunst in der Pinakothek der Moderne München
© KirchnerHaus Museum Aschaffenburg. Foto: Karl-Heinz Möhn, 2022

The KirchnerHaus (Kirchner House), birthplace of the expressionist painter Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, is located directly opposite Aschaffenburg railway station. Despite bombing raids during World War II, the house remained undamaged and has had a varied history of use: it served as a workshop, petrol station and casino before a documentation room was set up on the first floor. Exhibitions and events are regularly organised on the ground floor.

Museum Lothar Fischer, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz

Lothar Fischer's art strives for originality by developing new forms in sculpture rather than reproducing nature. His works are often reminiscent of archaeological finds. The Museum Lothar Fischer opened just four days before the artist's sudden death in 2004. Fischer was instrumental in the planning and attached great importance to generous glass facades and floor-to-ceiling window niches for his works.

Museum building © Museum Lothar Fischer
Lothar Fischer at work on his Adamtorso made of plaster/styrofoam, 1994. © Foto: Bettina Bartzen

Künstlerhaus Exter (Artist House Exter), Übersee-Feldwies

Farbenprächtiges Ölgemälde einer lesenden Frau, die am Seeufer auf einem Kahn sitzt
Painting "Woman with barge", Künstlerhaus Exter (Artist House Exter), Übersee am Chiemsee © Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung

Julius Exter (1863-1939), co-founder of the association of artists called "Munich Secession", was known for his colourful paintings. In 1902, he converted a historic property into his artist's residence. Some of his paintings can be marvelled at in the tranquil atmosphere of Künstlerhaus Exter (Artist House Exter). Excursion tip: Further works by Julius Exter can be seen in the Julius Exter Painting Gallery in the Augustinian Canons' Monastery on Herrenchiemsee.

Albrecht-Dürer-Haus (Albrecht Dürer House), Nuremberg

Albrecht Dürer achieved European fame as a painter and graphic artist before the age of 30. His most famous self-portrait, the “Selbstbildnis im Pelzrock” ("Self-Portrait in a Fur Skirt"), can be seen in the Alte Pinakothek (Old Pinacoteca) in Munich.

Highlight in Nuremberg's Old Town: Albrecht-Dürer-Haus
The half-timbered house in Nuremberg where Dürer lived is one of the few surviving town houses from the 15th century. The Albrecht-Dürer-Haus (Albrecht Dürer House) has been open as a museum since 1871. The costume tours, in which actresses playing the role of Dürer's wife Agnes present historical printing techniques and copies of important Dürer works, are particularly worth seeing.

Porträt von Albrecht Dürer
Albrecht Dürer, Self-Portrait in a Fur Skirt, 1500, Alte Pinakothek (Old Pinacoteca) © Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen

Archiv Geiger (Archive Geiger), Munich

Tools at the workshop at Archive Geiger
© Oliver Heissner / Archiv Geiger, München

Rupprecht Geiger (1908-2009) was an important post-war artist and member of the group “ZEN 49”. Known for his bright red colours, he left his mark on abstract art.

Archiv Geiger (Archive Geiger) in Munich-Solln
The Archiv Geiger (Archive Geiger), run by his granddaughter Julia Geiger, preserves his estate and that of his father, Willi Geiger. The colourful pigment room, where Geiger mixed his paints, is a highlight. Our tip: take part in screen printing workshops, children's rallies and cycle tours of Geiger's works.

Lenbachhaus, Munich and Lenbach-Museum, Schrobenhausen

We can even recommend two museums dedicated to the famous painter Franz von Lenbach (1836-1904). The knighted artist was born in Schrobenhausen, where his birthplace is now open as a museum. His villa on Königsplatz is home to the Städtische Galerie (Municipal Gallery) in the Lenbachhaus, where you can view 19th century Munich art, the works of the group called “Der Blaue Reiter” (“The Blue Rider”), New Objectivity and international contemporary art.

An oasis of calm in the centre of the city: the Lenbachhaus garden is particularly beautiful in summer!

Lenbachhaus © www.bayern.by - Florian Trykowski
City of Schrobenhausen

Discover Even More Beautiful Artists' Houses

The Museum Villa Stuck is Currently Being Refurbished (external link, opens in a new window)

Visit their interim accommodation VS at Goethestraße 54 in Munich and follow the team on Instagram @villastuck to stay up to date!