Overbeck-Gesellschaft

About the museum

The Overbeck-Gesellschaft was founded on March 9, 1918 as the second Lübeck art association. Its name recalls the painter Friedrich Overbeck, born in Lübeck, and his father, Mayor Christian Adolph Overbeck. According to its statutes, the association is dedicated to promoting the visual arts, above all through exhibitions. In 1931 it merged with the older Lübeck "Verein von Kunstfreunden" (Association of Friends of Art).

In its first years the society exhibited in rented rooms; from 1920 the artistic direction lay for a long time in the hands of the directors of the Lübeck museums, at first Carl Georg Heise. At his suggestion, the association had its own exhibition building erected in 1930 in the garden of the Behnhaus, to plans by the Lübeck architect Wilhelm Bräck; it opened with works by Ernst Barlach, Emil Nolde and Christian Rohlfs.

In the Nazi era the association was brought into line, and the pavilion was misused during the war. After 1945 the society resumed its work at changing locations and in 1949 moved back into the repaired pavilion. Since 1974, under an agreement with the Hanseatic City of Lübeck, it has been allowed to use the building, which was placed under monument protection in 2004, free of charge for exhibitions.

Today the art association sees itself as a place for current positions and experiments in contemporary art, connecting local and international discourses. There is no permanent exhibition of its own; solo and group exhibitions are shown, accompanied by tours and events.

Highlights

• Changing exhibitions of contemporary art with an international program
• Listed Overbeck Pavilion of 1930 to plans by Wilhelm Bräck
• Location in the garden of the Museum Behnhaus Drägerhaus
• One of the longstanding art associations of northern Germany, founded in 1918

Founded

1918

Operated by

Overbeck-Gesellschaft – Kunstverein Lübeck e. V.

Director

Paula Kommoss

Admission & discounts

Free admission for association members, members of other AdKV art associations, members of the Verband Deutscher Kunsthistoriker and holders of an ICOM card.

Accessibility

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

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

For individual exhibitions, children's workshops take place, for example in cooperation with the Kreativwerkstadt; dates in the program.

Getting there & parking

The Overbeck Pavilion stands in the garden of the Museum Behnhaus Drägerhaus (Königstraße 11). According to the art association, it is currently reached via the Bürgergärten.

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit