New museum dedicated to Emil Schumacher

Hagen venue celebrates the German abstract expressionist

By Clemens Bomsdorf | Web only
Published online 29 Sep 09 (Museums)

The skylight hall of the Emil Schumacher Museum, Hagen. Copyright: Werner Hannappel

Copenhagen. The work of German abstract expressionist Emil Schumacher (1912-99) is the focus of a new museum in the city of Hagen nearby Cologne. “Our aim is to bring the painter back to the German public,” curatorial director Alexander Klar told The Art Newspaper. “Abstract expressionism has been more in focus in the US than here.” He added that Schumacher should be seen as someone who laid the foundations for the movement. The museum is based on the collection of the Foundation Emil Schumacher, established by the artist’s son Ulrich. The collection consists of 88 oil paintings, 200 gouaches and works in various media such as porcelain. In addition to a permanent Schumacher exhibition, the museum will hold temporary exhibitions of Schumacher and other artists, such as German painter Albert Oehlen (born in 1954). “We are now establishing cooperation with other institutions such as the Burri foundation in Italy and several museums in the US,” said Klar. The Schumacher museum shares an entrance area with the Karl Ernst Osthaus-Museum, which has just reopened following renovation work.