The founding of the original three museums dates back to the citizens of the city and to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who stayed in Wiesbaden in 1814/1815 and persuaded two Frankfurt collectors to donate their extensive collections of artworks and antiques to the Duchy of Nassau in exchange for the payment of a lifelong pension.

The museum's art collection dates back to the former collection of on of them, Johann Isaak von Gerning. Through purchases, donations, and loans, the art collection has become one of the most important in Germany, especially in the area of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The museum, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2025, opened the exhibition “Feininger, Münter, Modersohn-Becker...” in September. The subtitle was “How does art get into the museum?” and referred to the many donations that made this exhibition possible.


Alexej von Jawlensky ( 1864- 1941 )

Abraham / 1893


Alexej von Jawlensky lived in Wiesbaden for the last 20 years of his life. The museum has an excellent collection of his works.