Lehmbruck Museum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum traces its origins to the Kunstmuseum Duisburg, founded in 1924 by August Hoff, which initially took over parts of the local history museum's collections; in 1931 the city of Duisburg became its operator. From the outset, the focus was on the work of Meiderich-born sculptor Wilhelm Lehmbruck, one of the most important figures in modern sculpture in Germany.

The present building in Immanuel-Kant-Park was designed by Lehmbruck's son, the architect Manfred Lehmbruck. The first construction phase, with a closed concrete building for his father's work and a light-filled glass hall, was completed in 1964 and is regarded as an outstanding example of postwar modernism. Between 1983 and 1987 an extension by Klaus Hänsch added further exhibition cubes.

Alongside an extensive holding of works by Lehmbruck, the museum collects international sculpture of the 20th and 21st centuries, such as works by Alberto Giacometti, Hans Arp, Joseph Beuys and Jean Tinguely, as well as Expressionist and Surrealist painting and works on paper. More than 40 sculptures stand in the open air in the surrounding Kantpark; the museum also looks after the city's public art.

Since 2000 the museum has been run by the Stiftung Wilhelm Lehmbruck Museum, and Söke Dinkla has directed it since 2013. With the Wilhelm-Lehmbruck-Preis, Duisburg regularly honors major sculptors; prizewinner Anish Kapoor was given a major exhibition at the museum in 2026.

Highlights

• Wilhelm Lehmbruck: “Kneeling Woman” (1911)
• Wilhelm Lehmbruck: “The Fallen Man” (1915/16)
• International sculpture by Alberto Giacometti, Hans Arp, Joseph Beuys and Jean Tinguely, among others
• Sculpture park in the Kantpark with more than 40 outdoor sculptures
• Museum building by Manfred Lehmbruck with glass hall (1964)

Permanent exhibitions

• Poetik der Linie: Lehmbruck als Zeichner und Maler – Collection display of Wilhelm Lehmbruck's drawings and paintings, focusing on early works.
• Surreale Welten – Collection display with works by Max Ernst, Salvador Dalí, René Magritte and others that blur the line between dream and reality.

Founded

1924

Operated by

Stiftung Wilhelm Lehmbruck Museum

Director

Söke Dinkla

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every 1st Friday of the month: “Pay what you want”

Free admission for, among others, ICOM members, members of art historians' and conservators' associations, the press, and holders of the RuhrKultur.Card and RUHR.TOPCARD. Day tickets can also be booked online.

Accessibility

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

Large parts of the exhibition spaces are accessible; elevators in the old building and the glass hall, platform lift at the entrance stairs on request from staff. Stairs to the galleries without assistive devices. Blind and visually impaired visitors may touch selected sculptures; no Braille labels and no induction loops. Sign language tours can be booked; visitor information in Easy Language on the website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Family tours on Sundays at 11:30 (no registration needed), “Kunst im Doppelpack” for parents with babies and toddlers, holiday workshops “Museumsspaß” (ages 6–12); children's birthday parties for ages 6 to 13 (120 or 150 min.).

Getting there & parking

About 500 m from the Hauptbahnhof (main station). The city center is in a low-emission zone (green sticker required); access via the A3, A40 or A59.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with online shop. The website does not mention a museum café of its own; the independent “Café Museum” is located in the Kantpark.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Lehmbruck wing and exhibition areas for conferences, congresses, concerts, readings and seated dinners; Mondays and outside opening hours only. Equipment (screens, sound system, Wi-Fi) available. Contact: +49 203 283-3138.

Plan your visit