Osthaus-Museum Hagen

The Osthaus Museum Hagen houses modern artworks within a building showcasing distinct Art Nouveau elements designed by Belgian architect Henry van de Velde. The rooms combine artistic design with displays of works from the early 20th century.

Karl Ernst Osthaus founded the museum in 1902 to make his art collection available to the public. After his death, the artworks were moved to the Folkwang Museum in Essen, but the building in Hagen remained and was later restored.

The museum's name honors its founder Karl Ernst Osthaus, who gathered his art collection here with great passion. Visitors can observe how this private collector shaped and used the building as his own artistic project.

The museum has open rooms that are easy to navigate, and informational materials are available on walls and in brochures. A visit typically takes a few hours, and breaks can be taken in quiet corners.

The building once served as office space for an electric utility company before being transformed into a museum after World War II under the direction of Herta Hesse. This second life demonstrates how historic structures can be revived for new purposes.

Location: Hagen

Inception: 1902

Architects: Henry van de Velde

Architectural style: Art Nouveau architecture

Website: http://osthausmuseum.de

GPS coordinates: 51.35603,7.47304

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:59