The Ludwig Museum of Koblenz is one of five museums in Germany, which was initiated by the famous collector couple Peter and Irene Ludwig. The museum is supported by generous donations, permanent loans and project funds. Since its opening in december 1992, the museum defines itself by an active dialogue in modern art with the neighboring country, France. In addition, the museum undertakes international exhibition projects in Koblenz.
Based on the ideas of the founding committee, which was initiated by Prof. Dr. Dr. hc. mult. Peter Ludwig and a previous mayor of Koblenz, the art collection and the exhibition policies of the museum develop an important exchange with our neighboring country, France. The almost 300-year old connection of Koblenz with France, in the time of the protectorate as well as during the occupation, forms a historical background that positions the museum with current starting points and questions.
With its location at the "Deutsche Eck" (German Corner), at the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Mosel, facing the "Kaiserdenkmal", which in 1992 was returned into its original form, the "Deutschherrenhaus", - previous house of the Teutonic Order - forms a vital counterpart to the historical orientation of the town.
The Ludwig Museum facilitates with its unique concept the connection to contemporary art and benefits from the support of the “Peter and Irene Ludwig Foundation” in Aachen. The Foundation itself delivers the research, the scientific structure of the collection as well as substantial financial support of the museums, which werde founded by Peter and Irene Ludwig during their lifetime. Thus the Ludwig Fondations work with numerous national and international museums and enables a potential network with colleagues all over the world.
Fundamental to our Ludwig Museum is this vivid connection as well as the support we receive through the Ludwig Foundation. Especially the exhibitions that the museum creates are therefore a many-voiced dialogue, referring on one hand to its own collection and developing on the other hand particular positions. The exhibitions generate contexts to important developments within art: both in France and international. Our museum acts from time to time as a kind of mediator for French institutions and research facilities. Furthermore, the museum presents monographic exhibitions of actual French and international artistic positions, such as Arman, Ben Vautier (2002), Bernar Venet (2002), Bert Stern, Miao Xiaochun, Fabrizio Plessi (2014), George & Ilya Pusenkoff (2013), Claude Viallat (2014), Sean Scully (2014), Mel Ramos, oder John Cage (2015) and many others.
The museum commemorates in 2016 at the same time several anniversaries: 825 years foundation jubilee of the Teutonic Order, 800 years of the main building, which houses now our Ludwig Museum and the death of its founder, Peter Ludwig, who died in 1996 at the age of 71 in Aachen.
