Museum
The foundations for the MdbK were laid in 1858, when members of the Leipziger Kunstverein realised their idea of establishing a museum with a civic foundation. Over 150 years later, the MdbK is rich in history, also reflecting that of Leipzig as a city of art.
History
Maximilian Speck von Sternburg was one of the great art enthusiasts of the 19th century, Marion Bühler-Brockhaus and her husband established a significant collection of French 19th century paintings, Harald Falckenberg of Hamburg is one of the best-known collectors of the present age. With their commitment, they – and many others – feature in a tradition dating back over 150 years: in 1848 the Museum der bildenden Künste Leipzig was founded by merchants, publishers, traders and bankers of the city of Leipzig. Since that time numerous collectors have followed in their footsteps, bestowing the museum with gifts and foundations. Their private passion and their personal eye are ever-present when touring the collection.
Architecture
Designed by the Berlin architects Hufnagel / Pütz /Rafaelian, the 36-metre high glass cube dominates the surrounding structures. The courtyards and terraces of the museum are visible from the outside, incorporating the concept of the Leipzig passages. The extent of space inside is unique, particularly in association with the manifold lines of sight and the views of the urban landscape. The materials glass, exposed concrete, limestone and oak dominate the interior, lending it an atmospheric variety. The presentation of contemporary works and spatially-related installations on the terraces, in the courtyards and stairways makes the interaction of art and architecture particularly tangible.
Library
Stocking almost 100,000 volumes, the Leipzig Museum of Fine Arts Reference Library for Aesthetics and Art History is among Germany’s largest museum libraries. The library began in 1837 as a result of generous endowments by Leipzig citizens to the local Art Society, which later on formed the basis for establishing the museum. The library complements the museum’s collections and purchases contemporary art literature on the international and regional stages. The inventory focuses on art and art history from the 17th to the 19th centuries. In addition to a rich collection of historical and current artists’ monographs and otherwise barely traceable exhibition and auction catalogues, we find significant source material in aesthetics and art history and also guides through the important European art scenes. Further, the library focuses also on purchasing international portfolio and collection catalogues.
The Library at the Leipzig Museum of Fine Arts is a reference library and is open to all. We would be pleased to advise you on how to use the material. If you plan extensive research, please contact us in advance.
Library opening hours:
| Wed | 13-20 h |
Tue* and Thu* | 1 3-27 h |
* on appointment Tel. +49 341 216 999 32
Contact
Team MdbK
Direction Office
Gabriele Pätow, Head
+49 341 216 999 20
gabriele.paetow@leipzig.de
Elizabeth Youngman, Academic Trainee
+49 341 216 999 29
elizabeth.youngman@leipzig.de
Luisa Senkowsky, Academic Trainee
+49 341 216 999 35
luisa.senkowsky@leipzig.de
Collections
Dr. Jan Nicolaisen, Chiefcurator and Head of Paintings / Sculpture
+49 341 216 999 45
jan.nicolaisen@leipzig.de
Dr. Jeannette Stoschek, Head of Collections, Chiefcurator of the Graphic Collection
+49 341 216 999 40
jeannette.stoschek@leipzig.de
Dr. Frédéric Bußmann, Curator Paintings / Sculpture 19th century to contemporary art
+49 341 216 999 13
frederic.bussmann@leipzig.de
Dr. Marcus Andrew Hurttig, Curator Graphic Collection
+49 341 216 999 17
marcus.hurttig@leipzig.de
Susanne Petri, Academic Assistant
+49 341 216 999 12
susanne.petri@leipzig.de
Dr. Birgit Brunk, Provenance Research
+49 341 216 999 26
birgit.brunk@leipzig.de
Kim Janke, Academic Assistant
+49 341 216 999 53
kim.janke@leipzig.de
Restoration
Rüdiger Beck, Chief Conservator
+49 341 216 999 25
ruediger.beck@leipzig.de
Antje Hake, Painting Conservator
+49 341 216 999 25
antje.hake@leipzig.de
Bettina Kosel, Paper Conservator
+49 341 216 999 22
bettina.kosel@leipzig.de
Heidi Lennig, Paper Conservator
+49 341 216 999 22
heidi.lennig@leipzig.de
SammlungsVerwaltung
Sebastian Grandlich-Ferl, Depotverwalter Grafik
+49 341 216 999 44
sebastian.grandlich-ferl@leipzig.de
Uwe Wagner, Depotverwalter Malerei und Skulptur
+49 341 216 999 31
uwe.wagner@leipzig.de
Library
Anka-Roberta Lazarus, Head
+49 341 216 999 32
anka.lazarus@leipzig.de
Angelika Glaß, Librarian
+49 341 216 999 56
angelika.glass@leipzig.de
Digitales MdbK
Sabine Schmidt, Reproduktionen, Digitalisierung
+49 341 216 999 18
sabine.schmidt@leipzig.de
Exhibition Management
Claudia Klugmann
+49 341 216 999 28
claudia.klugmann@leipzig.de
Art Education
Hermine Brietzel, Art Education
+49 341 216 999 23
hermine.brietzel@leipzig.de
Kirsten Huwig, Art Education
+49 341 216 999 58
kirsten.huwig@leipzig.de
Annemarie Riemer, Trainee Art Education
+49 341 216 999 41
annemarie.riemer@leipzig.de
Saskia Gall, Trainee Art Education
+49 341 216 999 27
saskia.gall@leipzig.de
Amin Martini, Bundesfreiwilligendienst
+49 341 216 999 23
Public Relations, Marketing & Event
Jörg Dittmer, Head
+49 341 216 999 42
joerg.dittmer@leipzig.de
Sylva M. Dörfer, Marketing & Events
+49 341 216 999 50
sylva.doerfer@leipzig.de
Ulrike Otto, Media and Visitor Services
+49 341 216 999 14
ulrike.otto@leipzig.de
Marina Roth, Assistentin Marketing & Events
+49 341 216 999 34
marina.roth@leipzig.de
Administration
Barbara Krause, Head
+49 341 216 999 15
barbara.krause@leipzig.de
Holger Dammhahn, Case Officer
+49 341 216 999 16
holger.dammhahn@leipzig.de
Steffi Heiland, Case Officer
+49 341 216 999 36
steffi.heiland@leipzig.de
Security & Facility Management
Torsten Cech, Head
+49 341 216 999 30, Mobil: +49 175 2088018
torsten.cech@leipzig.de
Sven Hottenrott, Carpenter
+49 341 216 999 38
Karsten Hummel, Building Services
+49 341 216 999 39
Andreas Neumann, Building Services
+49 341 216 999 26
Uwe Unger, Engineer building technology
+49 341 216 999 24
uwe.unger@leipzig.de
Harald Wiener, Building Services
+49 341 216 999 39