Liebieghaus

In the heart of Frankfurt, nestled along the scenic Museumsufer, lies the enchanting Liebieghaus, officially known as Liebieghaus Skulpturensammlung. This captivating sculpture museum is housed in a castle-like historicist villa, offering visitors a journey through 5,000 years of sculptural history, from ancient Egypt to the neoclassical period.

The History of the Liebieghaus

The Liebieghaus owes its name and existence to Baron Heinrich von Liebieg, a Bohemian textile manufacturer who commissioned the villa in 1896 as his retirement residence. Designed by Munich architect Leonhard Romeis, the villa exudes an air of grandeur and charm. In 1907, the city of Frankfurt acquired the property and transformed it into a museum dedicated to the city’s sculpture collection. The museum officially opened its doors in 1909, with Georg Swarzenski as its first director, who played a pivotal role in building and curating the collection.

The museum has seen significant contributions from renowned art historians and archaeologists over the years, including Anton Legner, Herbert Beck, Stefan Roller, Maraike Bückling, Peter Cornelis Bol, and Vinzenz Brinkmann. The Liebieghaus underwent a major renovation in 2009, with a redesign by the Berlin-based office Kuehn Malvezzi, coinciding with its 100th-anniversary celebration. Today, it boasts 1,600 square meters of exhibition space, showcasing masterpieces from various eras and regions.

Exploring the Liebieghaus

Visitors to the Liebieghaus are treated to a diverse and comprehensive collection of around 3,000 sculptures, spanning ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassicism, and even East Asian art. The museum’s collection is notable for its international scope, having been acquired through purchases on the global art market and generous donations, rather than being tied to regional art or historical events in Frankfurt.

Highlights of the Collection

The Liebieghaus’s collection is a treasure trove for art enthusiasts. Among its most significant pieces are the reliefs from the mortuary temple of the Egyptian Pharaoh Sahure, the sarcophagus of the Amun priestess Takait, a marble copy of the Discobolus by Naukydes, and a replica of Myron’s Athena statue. The museum also boasts a Greek alabaster portrait of Alexander the Great and a marble portrait of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

The medieval collection is particularly impressive, featuring over 400 works, including the Carolingian ivory reliefs of the “Older Metz School,” an Ottonian crucifix, and a Romanesque king’s head from a statue in Île-de-France. Noteworthy pieces from the late Middle Ages include fragments of a Florentine tomb by Tino di Camaino, an alabaster sculpture of the Throne of Grace by Hans Multscher, and a crescent moon Madonna by Tilman Riemenschneider. The Rimini Altar, a multi-figure alabaster crucifixion group from northern France, and the late Gothic Sibyl by Niclas Gerhaert van Leyden are also must-sees.

The Ancient World

The Liebieghaus’s ancient collection spans nearly four millennia and includes significant Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Asian objects. Highlights include the private collection of German archaeologist Adolf Furtwängler and excavation finds from Abu Mina by Egyptologist Carl Maria Kaufmann. The Egyptian collection features statues, reliefs, and sarcophagi, with standout pieces like the reliefs from Sahure’s mortuary temple and a statue of Alexander the Great as Pharaoh.

The Greek and Roman collection includes marble copies of famous statues, such as Myron’s Athena and Naukydes’ Discobolus, as well as a head of a kouros and a finely crafted head of Hermes. The Asian collection, established just a decade after the museum’s opening, includes a Buddhist votive stele from the Wei Dynasty and a Tang Dynasty earthenware horse.

A Stroll Through the Garden

The Liebieghaus is set amidst a charming garden where visitors can stroll and admire outdoor sculptures, including a replica of Johann Heinrich Dannecker’s “Ariadne on the Panther.” The garden provides a serene backdrop to the museum, enhancing the overall experience.

Visiting the Liebieghaus

A visit to the Liebieghaus is a voyage through time, offering a deep dive into the evolution of sculpture across different cultures and periods. Whether you’re an art aficionado or a casual visitor, the museum’s rich collection and picturesque setting make it a must-visit destination in Frankfurt. Don’t miss the chance to explore this hidden gem and immerse yourself in the world of sculptural art at the Liebieghaus.