Albert-König-Museum

About the museum

The painter and graphic artist Albert König (1881–1944) came from Eschede, first trained as a house painter and continued his education in Düsseldorf, Munich and Berlin, where Georg Tappert became his formative teacher and friend. He first became known for his woodcuts. In 1927 he withdrew to Unterlüß; there trees, forests and later the diatomite pits of the surrounding area became his central motifs.

König's widow bequeathed his artistic estate and the house with studio to the municipality of Unterlüß in her will, on the condition that an art museum bearing his name be established there. The Albert König Museum opened on June 19, 1987. In the same year a circle of friends and supporters was founded, whose members still staff the museum on a volunteer basis. Since May 1, 2004, an extension has housed the permanent exhibition on diatomite, a natural resource mined in the Südheide. On January 1, 2005, the museum, until then part of the municipal administration, became a foundation under private law.

The collection now comprises more than 12,000 works; its core is around 1,800 works from König's estate, including over 220 paintings. Added to these are works by other artists of the region such as Fritz Flebbe, Erwin Vollmer, Frido Witte and Günther Weißflog. Special exhibitions change several times a year; concerts, readings, theater evenings and civil wedding ceremonies are also held in the house.

Highlights

• Paintings, watercolors and woodcuts by Albert König
• Tree and forest pictures from the former primeval forest near Unterlüß
• Interactive exhibition on diatomite with microscopes and experiments
• The artist's former home and studio
• Works by other heath painters such as Fritz Flebbe and Frido Witte

Permanent exhibitions

• Kieselgur – Die Erlebnisausstellung – Hands-on exhibition in the extension on the natural history and mining of diatomite in the Südheide, with microscopes, specimens and audio stations; a research island presents the life and work of Albert König with original works.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Stiftung Albert-König-Museum Unterlüß

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on Fridays from May 1 to October 31

Guided tours by appointment: adult groups €25, student groups €15, each plus admission; tours led by curators by arrangement.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations

In the diatomite exhibition, visitors can examine specimens, work at microscopes and try out König's drawing technique themselves at a research island.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Coffee and cake in the museum foyer during opening hours; books and catalogs on Albert König are available in the museum.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil wedding ceremonies of the municipality of Südheide can take place in the museum.

Plan your visit