Museum Hessen Kassel

The afterlife not only fascinates believers and theologians. Poets and artists have also been grappling with it in a multifaceted way for centuries. Especially for artists, this was not an easy matter, because: No one knew their actual subject matter. The afterlife was considered by humans in this world as invisible and also incomprehensible. This threw the ball into a not quite uncomplicated corner for the painters and demanded inventiveness. The paintings also played an important role both in salvation history and the believers' hope for redemption, and furthermore in visualizing the worldview. Selected paintings from the 16th century impressively showcase the culture of faith and artistic exploration of the cosmos in a cabinet exhibition.

Who still knows about quill pens and writing utensils today? While social messenger services like WhatsApp determine writing in the present, these writing tools formed an unbeatable duo from the 16th to the 20th century. The term "writing implements" refers to the mostly box-shaped containers that, in addition to the goose quill pen, also contain vessels for ink and sprinkling sand for drying the ink. In the presentation "With a Sharp Quill. Writing Implements and Writing in the Course of Time" at the Hessian State Museum, a selection of artistically crafted writing implements from the collection of Wilhelm Schmidt and Heinrich Kunze is on display. More than 30 pieces provide insight into the 400-year history of using these useful tools in writing culture. Writing tools surprise with their variety. As commissioned works with individual shaping and color design, they have expressed the prestige of their owners since the Renaissance. Adorned with elaborately crafted figures, these luxurious cases reflected the writing power of the high nobility. With the beginning of the Enlightenment, the emerging bourgeoisie used them to express their own worldview, taste preferences, and contemporary understanding of writing. The presentation invites you to discover writing tools as a central part of the cultural history of writing. This includes the early modern art of feather writing as well as the production of ink and the making of handmade paper. Follow the evolution of writing media from antiquity to the present day.

The exhibition 'Erasmus von Rotterdam: The Prince in the Age of Power Politics' presents a comprehensive overview of the life and work of this influential humanist. Through his writings and correspondence, Erasmus offered a critical perspective on the political and religious issues of his time.

Here the exotic plants from the mountain park spend the winter. Elector Wilhelm II had the Great Greenhouse built in 1822 to house his diverse collection of exotic plants. The delicate structure was one of the earliest glass-steel constructions in Europe. An elaborate heating system provided pleasant temperatures throughout the winter. Here the frost-sensitive plants could overwinter, while the Elector used the house for representation: In the round central section (salon) he received his guests for tea and showed the valuable plant collection. The central section acquired its present rectangular form during a renovation around 1888. In that context the warmhouse plants were also moved into the new central section. Even today, visitors to the Great Greenhouse can admire a sea of color of orchids, palms, camellias, bananas and other exotic plants during the season. In spring, some of the plants, in keeping with old tradition, adorn the outdoor areas of the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe.

On January 25, 2025, Harry Kramer would have turned 100 years old. The Kassel art professor, documenta participant, and initiator of the artist necropolis in Habichtswald undoubtedly ranks among the most colorful artistic personalities of the city. On this occasion, the documenta archive, Hessen Kassel Heritage, and the Museum for Sepulchral Culture present kinetic sculptures, films, photographs, and graphics from all creative phases of the artistic universalist.