Bilder erzählen – Sammlung Peter Schmidt

About the museum

The Waldkraiburg entrepreneur Peter Schmidt (1932–2017) bought his first painting in Vienna in 1954 and over the decades built up a collection of more than 250 pictures. From the 1980s he concentrated on genre painting, that is, scenes from everyday life, and in particular chose works that tell a story – so portraits and still lifes are not to be found here.

Even during his lifetime, Schmidt showed parts of his pictures in exhibitions at the Haus der Kultur and wished for a permanent museum in his home town. After his death, the collection passed to the specially established foundation "Bilder erzählen – Sammlung Peter Schmidt", which is run by his family. Directly next to the Haus der Kultur, a single-storey new building with an oak floor and a clerestory light band was built to plans by the Munich architect Ingo Werner; it opened in July 2022.

The focus is on paintings of the Munich School and the Düsseldorf School of painting, which are shown here side by side on equal terms – including works by Carl Theodor von Piloty, Wilhelm von Diez, Franz von Defregger, Ludwig Knaus and Benjamin Vautier as well as the women painters Hedwig Oehring and Ernestine Friedrichsen. There are also pictures by artists from numerous European countries and America.

The presentation, set against coloured walls, is divided into seven thematic areas, such as the inn and conviviality, working worlds, family life and children's play, or religion and rituals. A programme of events with concerts, readings and museum education activities complements the permanent exhibition.

Highlights

• Munich and Düsseldorf schools of painting side by side on equal terms
• Seven thematic areas from inn scenes to religion and rituals
• Works by Defregger, Piloty, Knaus and Vautier, among others
• Guided tours with a film about the collector Peter Schmidt
• MuseumsMusik: live music among the paintings

Permanent exhibition

• Bilder erzählen – Genremalerei des 19. Jahrhunderts – Built around seven themes of life, the exhibition shows everyday scenes by the Munich and Düsseldorf schools of painting as well as international genre painters – humorous, anecdotal and rich in detail.

Founded

2022

Operated by

Stiftung „Bilder erzählen – Sammlung Peter Schmidt“

Director

Andreas Seifinger

Admission & discounts

Concerts, readings and other events have their own admission prices (advance sales via Reservix, box office from one hour before the start).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Barrier-free, step-free access; seating in the exhibition.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Family puzzle rally, holiday programmes with painting activities and family days; digital puzzle apps on the collection for children and adults. Children up to 15 years enter free.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located on Braunauer Straße, directly next to the Haus der Kultur.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit