Städel Art Museum, Frankfurt

Städel Art Museum, Frankfurt (must see)

The Städel Museum, situated along the River Main, holds an extensive collection of artworks spanning seven centuries. Its galleries showcase paintings created by renowned artists from the 14th century to the present day. The Städel Institute is dedicated to the instruction and support of local artists.

Founded in 1816 by the influential Frankfurt banker Johann Friedrich Städel, the museum was established to house his extensive art collection. Städel generously donated both his collection and his residence to the city. In 1878, a new, grand building in the German Grunderzeit architectural style was designed by architect Oskar Sommer to serve as a repository for the subsequent art acquisitions made by the museum.

The museum's art collection encompasses a diverse range, including Flemish primitives, Impressionist and Post-Modernist works, pieces by Dutch and German masters from the 17th and 18th centuries, 19th-century French and German Romantic paintings, as well as creations from later artistic movements such as Cubism, Impressionism, and Expressionism. Notable modern artworks in the collection include pieces by artists like Bacon, Dubuffet, and Yves Klein. Some of the gallery's treasures include the portrait of Goethe in the Italian countryside by Tischbein, 'The Geographer' by Johannes Vermeer, and the 'Lucca Madonna' by Jan van Eyck. Additionally, the building houses a sizable library featuring a wide range of art books and periodicals.

Why You Should Visit:
Based on ease of access and the permanent exhibits (including not just modern and some contemporary art, but also items going back a very long time), quite a terrific museum.
It is large and you can easily spend hours and hours here. The presentation is spacious and generally well-lit while the staff are friendly and helpful.

Tip:
Come early to enjoy the quietness of the place.
Consider downloading the museum's app on your phone, as it gives a great insight into much of the artwork.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Frankfurt. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Städel Art Museum on Map

Sight Name: Städel Art Museum
Sight Location: Frankfurt, Germany (See walking tours in Frankfurt)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery

Walking Tours in Frankfurt, Germany

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Jewish History Walking Tour

Jewish History Walking Tour

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At some point, the city was even referred to as "Jerusalem of the West", highlighting its importance as a center of Jewish life...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Shopping Streets

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Historical Churches Walking Tour

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The history of Christianity in Frankfurt dates back to the Middle Ages when, as a free city-state, it became an essential segment of the Holy Roman Empire. As the city grew, so did its Christian community. Several important churches appeared during that period, including the Old Nicholas Church...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour

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The German city of Frankfurt, also known as Frankfurt am Main, has a long and complex history, spanning more than a thousand years. The Romans established a military camp called "Nida" in the area that is now Frankfurt, on the northern bank of the River Main, in the 1st century AD.

The town itself was founded by the Franks, a Germanic tribe, in the 9th century. Its name comes from...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles

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