Zwischen Himmel und Förde - Die Künstlerkolonie Heikendorf an der Kieler Förde

The exhibition focuses on the Heikendorf artists’ colony, which was established on the eastern shore of the Kiel Fjord in the first half of the 20th century. As part of the Europe-wide artists’ colony movement, painters deliberately sought to retreat from major urban centers in order to explore new forms of expression through direct engagement with nature.

Driven by developments in plein air painting and an interest in light, atmosphere, and landscape, a distinct artistic voice emerged here. The region between the fjord, the beach, and the countryside offered ideal conditions for working from nature, which contributed to a fundamental renewal of landscape painting.

Building on a vibrant artistic milieu around 1900—significantly shaped by Georg Burmester—Heikendorf developed into an independent artists’ colony beginning in the 1920s, with artists such as Heinrich Blunck, Werner Lange, and Oscar Droege. Their works reflect an intense engagement with the landscape, the coastal region, and everyday life, and are exemplary of the artistic development of that era.

The exhibition brings together paintings, prints, and sculptures from the period between 1890 and 1970 and invites visitors to rediscover the diversity and art-historical significance of this special place.

The works on display come from the collection of the Künstlermuseum Heikendorf-Kieler Förde, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025. It is located in Heinrich Blunck’s former home and studio and is dedicated to the preservation and study of the artists’ colony. To this day, it remains a central hub of its cultural heritage.

Hours:

Tuesday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.