Since the sixties, Cologne has been the German art(trade) metropolis and is the place of residence of artists such as Gerhard Richter, Jürgen Klauke, Rune Mields or H.A. Schult, Bernhard Schultze and the "banana sprayer" Thomas Baumgärtl. More than 100 galleries present the entire spectrum of international art and the international art trade.
Twice a year, the gallery owners issue an invitation to their "premiere days", on which new exhibitions are opened simultaneously in all the galleries and other art centres. It comes as no surprise that the Federal Association of German Galleries and Art Publishers (BVDG) has its head office in Cologne.
The auction trade is represented by such well-known names as the German market leader, Kunsthaus Lempertz or van Ham Kunstauktionen. This is joined by three large trade fairs, which regularly attract the visitors from across the world to the KölnMesse exhibition centre. The Art Cologne is the "mother" of all art exhibitions.
It began in 1967 with 15,000 visitors and a turnover of 1 million DM. In the meantime, turnover and number of visitors have soared. The "Art", as it is known, is considered a barometer for international trends and is held regularly in early October. In the early spring, the West German Art Exhibition (WKM) and the kunstKöln art exhibition are always worth visiting. The WKM has developed over the years into the "flagship of German art and antiques exhibitions".
Its traditional emphasis is on 19th century painting, in addition to a wide range of furniture and craftwork. The kunstKöln art exhibition is the most recent Cologne exhibition, with a conception that is unique to date. It combines presentation of high-quality, original printed graphics, artist books, photographic and sculptural publications, multiples and art brut.
The museums complete the range of attractions for art enthusiasts. In addition to the Ludwig Museum or the Museum for Oriental Art, a large number of private collections exist, for example in the Diocesan Museum, the Cologne Käthe Kollwitz Museum or the St. Peter art centre. Also worth seeing is the sculpture park by the couple of collectors Eleonore and Michael Stoffels near Cologne Zoo.
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