Olaf Gulbransson Museum Tegernsee

About the museum

The Norwegian artist Olaf Gulbransson (1873–1958) shaped the image of the Munich satirical magazine Simplicissimus for decades and lived from 1929 at the Schererhof on Lake Tegernsee. After his death, his widow Dagny Björnson-Gulbransson campaigned for a museum; in 1962 a founders' association was formed under prominent patronage.

On a plot in the spa gardens provided by Duke Ludwig Wilhelm in Bavaria, the foundation stone was laid in 1965, and the museum opened in 1966. The building was designed by Sep Ruf, architect of the Chancellor's Bungalow in Bonn; the light, glass pavilion is considered an important example of postwar modernism and is a listed monument. At the same time the Olaf Gulbransson Gesellschaft was founded, which runs the museum to this day.

In 1974 the building and a large part of the holdings passed to the Free State of Bavaria; since then the museum has been a branch gallery of the Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen (Bavarian State Painting Collections). In 1993 an underground space for special exhibitions was added, in 2008 a second extension with an entrance, elevator and further exhibition space.

For the artist's 150th birthday in 2023, the permanent collection was newly arranged. It comprises about 30 oil paintings, over 400 drawings, book illustrations and cover designs for the Simplicissimus and also sheds light on the contradictions of his biography in the Nazi era.

Highlights

• Pavilion by Sep Ruf (1966), a monument of postwar modernism
• Caricatures and cover designs for the Simplicissimus
• About 30 oil paintings and over 400 drawings from the artist's estate
• Permanent exhibition "Olaf Simpl"
• Location in the spa gardens directly on Lake Tegernsee

Permanent exhibitions

• Olaf Simpl – The permanent collection, newly arranged in 2023, shows drawings, paintings and Simplicissimus works by Gulbransson in the context of his biography.

Founded

1966

Operated by

Olaf Gulbransson Gesellschaft e.V. Tegernsee (Zweiggalerie der Bayerischen Staatsgemäldesammlungen)

Visitors per year

approx. 11,967 (2016)

Admission & discounts

The stated prices apply from September 19, 2026 to February 14, 2027. Members of the Olaf Gulbransson Gesellschaft have free admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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 main entrance in the extension is step-free (threshold 3.5 cm), with an elevator (110 × 140 cm) and separate accessible restrooms. The old building by Sep Ruf is only partially accessible. The exhibits can mostly be viewed while seated. Information checked according to "Reisen für Alle."

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Children and teenagers have free admission. At the ticket desk there is the discovery booklet "Bilderjagd" (€1) and, free of charge, a dice discovery game for families; in the summer holidays a workshop for children aged 7 to 10.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Bags, coats and jackets are not allowed in the special exhibition; there is limited space for storage in the ticket room (no liability).

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit