The Staatsgalerie Stuttgart brings seven centuries of European art together in one of Germany’s major museums. Its collection ranges from medieval religious painting and Old Masters to German Expressionism and classical modernism, with works by artists including Rembrandt, Monet, Picasso and Paul Klee. Regional holdings of Swabian art add a perspective you’re less likely to find in museums elsewhere.
The architecture is a reason to visit in its own right. The original neoclassical gallery opened in 1843; beside it, James Stirling’s Neue Staatsgalerie, completed in 1984, is a colourful, playful landmark of postmodern design. Moving between the two wings makes the contrast between their eras almost as absorbing as the art on display.
Allow at least a couple of hours for the collection, and check the museum’s programme and admission details before you go: temporary exhibitions may require a separate ticket. The Staatsgalerie public transport stop is close by, and the museum’s location in Stuttgart’s cultural quarter makes it easy to combine a visit with a walk through the Schlossgarten.