... I’m pleased they did because August Macke is one of my favourite artists and certainly deserves a place for his work to be exhibited. This lovely Classicist style house, built in the 1870s, also houses a museum that puts into context the life of Macke and the artists working around him.
It ... Read review
Advantages: A good selection of Macke's work; not expensive (can be free) Disadvantages: Better if you understand German
...I’m pleased they did because August Macke is one of my favourite artists and certainly deserves a place for his work to be exhibited. This lovely Classicist style house, built in the 1870s, also houses a museum that puts into context the life of Macke and the artists working around him.
It is the house where Macke painted over 400 pieces and worked until his untimely death in 1914. He was born, however, in the Sauerland region of Germany. ... ...moved to Cologne shortly after August was born.
Initially Macke produced work influenced by the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists and later, on meeting Kandinsky, became a member of the Blaue Reiter group. By 1912 he had discovered Cubism which profoundly influenced his work. Around 1914 he visited North Africa with the Swiss artist Paul Klee; the paintings he produced in this period are my favourites, so colourful and imbued ... more
If you go to see this impressive house, do not forget that if it was not for the determination of local people it wouldn't be open at all. The Bonn authorities were willing to let the building become a pub but a public campaign saved it, had it restored and in 1991 the doors opened. I’m pleased they did because August Macke is one of my favourite artists and certainly deserves a place for his work to be exhibited. This lovely Classicist style house, built in the 1870s, also houses a museum that puts into context the life of Macke and the artists working around him.
It is the house where Macke painted over 400 pieces and worked until his untimely death in 1914. He was born, however, in the Sauerland region of Germany. His father was an engineer, his mother from a farming family. The family moved to Cologne shortly after August was born.
Initially Macke produced work influenced by the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists and later, on meeting Kandinsky, became a member of the Blaue Reiter group. By 1912 he had discovered Cubism which profoundly influenced his work. Around 1914 he visited North Africa with the Swiss artist Paul Klee; the paintings he produced in this period are my favourites, so colourful and imbued with warmth and sunshine. Sadly he died in just the second month of the First World War, at the front in Champagne.
Alas, many of his most famous works are housed elsewhere but there are still a good number of interesting pieces and they are well presented. The selection covers the different styles he worked in quite well and overall the exhibition is worth seeing even if you aren’t familiar with the artist because Macke is an artist whose work is quite immediate and accessible.
On the staircases you follow the history of the Macke family as you climb the floors - this can be a bit inconvenient when it’s busy and some read faster than others. Also, you do need to be able to read German as most of the captions are in German only. If you don't speak German, ask a German speaker to come with you to translate or read up on the artist before you go to help it all make sense. There are English-speaking staff there but they might not be available to accompany you all the way round. (If you can understand German and happen to be in town on a Sunday morning, a weekly guided tour takes place then).
A well-stocked reading room is crammed with books on Macke and his contemporaries just before you climb to the top floor where the artist's studio has been reconstructed. It was in this studio that Macke met with his friends, among them the poet Apollinaire, the French Cubist artist Robert Delaunay and the German artist Max Ernst. It was here that Macke painted the celebrated mural “Paradise” with Franz Marc; sadly the original is not displayed here which was the biggest disappointment for me.
Looking through the windows, Macke would often paint what he saw beneath him in the lovely gardens or in the bustling streets; it would have been nice to have been able to see more of the works painted here so that you could compare the painting with what can be seen today.
The Bonn-Cologne region has a strong link with twentieth century art movements in particular which is reflected in the excellent temporary exhibitions that are staged at the August Macke Haus. Details of these can be found on the museum website.
A visit to the August Macke Haus is a must for those interested in twentieth century art; the collection is nicely displayed and provides a decent overview of Macke’s work. Bonn, though, is a city that is packed with museums and unless you have a special interest in the art of this period I wouldn’t recommend a special visit as there are museums which are better appreciated for those who don’t speak German. However, the collection is small enough not to be overwhelming and the colourful paintings have wide appeal.
Entrance is €4.00 for adults and €3.00 for children; Bonn Regio Welcome Card holders get in free.
Open Tuesday through Friday from 2.30 pm to 6.00pm; Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5.00pm.
Bornheimer Str. 96, Bonn
www.august-macke-haus.de
There is no wheelchair access to the upper floors.
