Looking at the restrained art nouveau exterior of the Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden, you might not expect to find the somewhat edgy contemporary art inside. Despite its modest appearances, the gallery is one of Germany’s most renowned art spaces. Exhibitions from artists such as Salvador Dalí, in 1971, to rising stars including Sergej Jensen and Li Songsong have been staged here. Combine a visit to the bucolic Black Forest with a visit here at the cutting edge of the art world, on display within the super-minimalist walls of the exhibitions space.
Linger outside, appreciating the almost austere façade. It was decried as too far a departure from the over-the-top Baroque style that had been popular until 1909, when Hermann Billing and Wilhelm Vittali built the Staatliche Kunsthalle along the Lichtentaler Allee.
Spot two 19th-century statues posed on either side of the staircase, personifications of painting and sculpture welcoming visitors to the hall. Admire the lines of the steel sculpture installed here by the American sculptor Richard Serra in the late 1970s, one of the few works that references the landscape around it.
Continue inside, where historical references of the exterior give way to white walls perfect for hanging works from some of the world’s leading artists. View solo exhibits celebrating one artist in particular or appreciate the work of the gallery’s curator in themed exhibits. Topics have ranged from money, to the role of hotels in art, to the Power of the Powerless.
The Staatliche Kunsthalle is in the southern part of Baden-Baden in the museum district, facing the line of parks along the Lichtentaler Allee. Take a bus here in 20 minutes from the main train station or drive in 15 minutes. Walk from the Trinkhalle in 5 minutes. Several metered parking garages are within a short walk from the gallery.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from mid-morning to evening. It is open on all public holidays, including Mondays, except Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The admission charge offers a variety of reductions for children, seniors and museum pass holders.