Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The foundation of the collection was laid by Margravine Karoline Luise of Baden, who acquired mainly Dutch, Flemish and French paintings between 1759 and 1776. Her son, Grand Duke Carl Friedrich, and his successors expanded the holdings. From 1836 to 1846 Heinrich Hübsch built the Grand Ducal Picture Gallery on the edge of the palace district – one of the earliest buildings in Germany designed specifically as a museum.

Under the painter Hans Thoma, who directed the gallery from 1899 to 1920, important works by Old Masters and from the 19th century were added. Highlights include Grünewald's Tauberbischofsheim Altarpiece, works by Hans Baldung Grien and Lucas Cranach, Rembrandt and Rubens, and still lifes by Chardin. There is also an extensive collection of prints and drawings, as well as modern works, which have been shown in the neighboring Orangerie since the 1950s. With the Junge Kunsthalle, the museum has one of the oldest children's museums in Germany.

In November 2021 the main building closed for a comprehensive renovation to plans by Staab Architekten; among other things, the inner courtyard is getting a glass roof. Reopening is currently planned for 2030. Since April 2023 the Kunsthalle has been showing major works from its collection in the presentation “See You” at the ZKM, complemented by studio exhibitions, while the Orangerie and the Junge Kunsthalle continue to host special exhibitions. Frédéric Bußmann has been director of the museum since August 2023.

Highlights

• Tauberbischofsheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald
• Early German painting by Hans Baldung Grien and Lucas Cranach
• French still lifes by Jean Siméon Chardin
• Collection presentation “See You” at the ZKM
• Junge Kunsthalle – one of the oldest children's museums in Germany

Permanent exhibitions

• See You. Begegnungen mit der Kunsthalle Karlsruhe – Collection presentation with major works from the Middle Ages to the present, at the ZKM for the duration of the renovation.

Founded

1846

Operated by

Land Baden-Württemberg

Director

Frédéric Bußmann

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on Fridays from 14:00 (Orangerie and ZKM)

Prices for the Orangerie. Junge Kunsthalle always free. Free admission with the Landesfamilienpass (state family pass), Museums-PASS-Musées, ICOM card and for members of the friends' associations, among others. Guided tours for school classes €45–68, admission not included.

Accessibility

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

The Orangerie can be reached via a ramp at the back of the rotunda – please ring or call 0721 20119460 there. Junge Kunsthalle: ground floor via a ramp at the back (tel. 0721 20119450). Website with content in Easy Language (Leichte Sprache).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Junge Kunsthalle (free admission) with exhibitions for young visitors; programs “Samstags mal Kunst” (Art on Saturdays), “Open Space” courses, Art-Action!, holiday programs and children's birthday parties. Children and teens up to 17 free. Strollers: little space in the Junge Kunsthalle, parking spots in the Orangerie rotunda; at the ZKM, leave your own strollers in the foyer – buggies are provided.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Cloakroom in the Orangerie rotunda. Online shop with tickets and publications.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit