Sprengel Museum Hannover

The Sprengel Museum Hannover ranks with its focus on German Expressionism and French Modernism among the most important museums of twentieth and twenty-first century art.

The museum’s origin goes back to the donation of the chocolate manufacturer Dr. Bernhard Sprengel: In 1969, he presented his comprehensive collection of high-quality modern art to the city of Hannover and supported the construction of the new museum building.

Striking accents are set by works from such significant artists groups as “Die Brücke” and “Der Blaue Reiter” as well as from such artistic styles as Cubism and Surrealism. The collection encompasses important groups of works by such artists as Pablo Picasso, Fernand Léger, Max Beckmann, Max Ernst, Paul Klee, Emil Nolde and Kurt Schwitters.

Niki de Saint Phalle, who achieved fame through her Nana sculptures, augmented the collections of the Sprengel Museum Hannover in 2000 with her generous donation. Comprising over 400 works from all her important creative periods, this pivotal 20th century artist is represented by her assemblages, shooting pictures, sculptures and drawings.

A special attraction of the Sprengel Museum Hannover are the rooms designed by artists. Among the most famous are the reconstruction of the legendary Merzbau by Kurt Schwitters, the Abstract Cabinet by El Lissitzky and the light spaces by James Turrell.

The museum’s holdings have grown over the past 40 years to include major artist tendencies of time since 1945, including works by Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder, Gerhard Richter and Sigmar Polke. Photography is also a particular focal point of the collection.