Bröhan Museum

The Bröhan Museum in Berlin-Charlottenburg is a state museum devoted to Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Functionalism. It is named after the entrepreneur and art collector Karl H. Bröhan, who donated his extensive collection to the State of Berlin on the occasion of his 60th birthday. The museum is housed in a former barracks building that is part of the Charlottenburg Palace ensemble and was originally built for a guards regiment. Since opening in 1983 and being officially designated a state museum in 1994, it has developed into a central destination for the history of 20th-century design. The collection, which Bröhan began building in the early 1960s, spans works from the late 19th century to the beginning of World War II.

Inside, you'll find a unique mix of applied and fine art. At its heart is the internationally significant Art Nouveau collection, which brings together various national variations such as French Art Nouveau, the British Arts and Crafts movement, and the Vienna Secession. Well-known artists such as Hector Guimard and Henry van de Velde are represented, as is a rich selection of porcelain from manufactories such as Meissen, Sèvres, and Copenhagen, along with glass art by Émile Gallé. Alongside Art Nouveau, you'll see Art Deco furniture ensembles by Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann and metalwork by Jean Puiforcat. The Functionalism section shows the transition to modern industrial design with objects from the circle of the Deutscher Werkbund, including designs by Peter Behrens and Richard Riemerschmid. Another focus is the Berlin Secession, where paintings by artists such as Hans Baluschek, Walter Leistikow, and Käthe Kollwitz document the development from Impressionism to Expressionism.

The museum's presentation is dynamic by design. Rather than a static permanent exhibition, objects are rotated regularly and shown in new contexts, gradually making the rich holdings accessible to the public. Five to seven major special exhibitions each year connect the historical collection with current themes in art and design right up to the present day. The program is rounded out by smaller interventions in the "Blackbox" format and an extensive supporting program of lectures, concerts, and an annual summer festival. The museum also offers children and families plenty of ways to experience art and design hands-on, with workshops, vacation programs, and Family Sundays.