Käthe Kollwitz Museum

About the museum

The Käthe Kollwitz Museum is part of the cultural centre De Brouwerij in Koekelare, the restored site of the former Christiaen brewery and malt house. It dates from the 1790s, received its present appearance around 1878 and brewed beer until 1968. The municipality bought the site in 1985, had it restored and opened the buildings in 1992. In the former malt loft the Käthe Kollwitz tower was created, which was renewed and extended in 2014 on the occasion of the commemoration of the First World War, and officially opened as a museum on 21 February 2014.

The museum is dedicated to the German artist Käthe Kollwitz and her son Peter. Peter Kollwitz was a young German soldier who fell almost immediately after arriving near Diksmuide. To come to terms with her grief, his mother made two statues of grieving parents (The Grieving Parents). That masterpiece now stands at the German military cemetery of Vladslo, where Peter is buried, and which has been on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 20 September 2023.

The museum displays a collection of original etchings and other works by Käthe Kollwitz, including works from the private collection of Raf Seys, which he donated to the municipality. The museum presents her not only as an expressionist artist, but also as a strong woman and a grieving mother. The common thread is her protest against the fact that children are the greatest victims of war.

Highlights

• Original etchings and other works by Käthe Kollwitz
• The story of Peter Kollwitz, who fell near Diksmuide
• Former gravestone of Peter Kollwitz from Vladslo
• The story behind The Grieving Parents at the Vladslo cemetery
• Historic brewery site Christiaen

Permanent exhibition

• Käthe Kollwitz en Peter Kollwitz – The permanent exhibition shows original etchings and other works by Käthe Kollwitz and tells the story of her son Peter, who fell near Diksmuide shortly after arriving at the front.

Founded

2014

Operated by

Gemeente Koekelare

Admission & discounts

The ticket is valid for both the Käthe Kollwitz Museum and the Fransmansmuseum. Residents of Koekelare enter free. Schools, and those eligible for the Iedereen Verdient Vakantie network, have separate rates.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is wheelchair-accessible. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the cultural centre De Brouwerij at Sint-Maartensplein 15b, together with the tourist office and the Fransmansmuseum.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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