The Museum Villa Stuck in Munich, the former home of Symbolist artist Franz von Stuck, will reopen on 18 October after a €13.5m renovation. The project updated infrastructure, restored the facade, and conserved historical rooms, including music and reception salons with Pompeii-inspired wall paintings and new silk curtains. The museum has reconfigured its display of Stuck's paintings, adding a recently donated work, and will open with a contemporary exhibition by Louise Giovanelli.
This reopening matters because Villa Stuck is a rare Gesamtkunstwerk—a total work of art—by one of Europe's last "painter princes," blending Symbolist painting, sculpture, and architecture. The renovation balances preservation of Stuck's legacy with a renewed commitment to contemporary art, exemplified by the Giovanelli show, ensuring the museum remains relevant as both a historical monument and a platform for cutting-edge artists.