Städel Museum – "Old Masters"
Client
Städelsches Kunstinstitut und Städtische Galerie, Frankfurt (DE)
Project location
Hamburg Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Project date
2021
Architect
Bach Dolder GmbH, Darmstadt (DE)
Revolutionary light ceilings for classical art.
The Städel Museum Frankfurt has comprehensively modernised its lighting – being the first major overhaul in ten years. In collaboration with Zumtobel, a lighting concept was developed that perfectly highlights the works of the Old Masters while at the same time saving energy. The combination of daylight and artificial light ensures that paintings shine in all their depth, while modern LED technology significantly reduces power consumption.
Products
Innovative lighting systems for natural effects and precise illumination.
In the skylight rooms, 1,100 meters of TECTON continuous-row system luminaires with 5,000 K are used to simulate natural daylight, controlled by a daylight sensor. In windowless rooms, 800 OMEGA PRO2 LED panels with high colour rendering (CRI 90) create a uniform luminous ceiling. The concept is supplemented by ARCOS III and SUPERSYSTEM II spotlights, both featuring tunableWhite technology for accurate colour temperature adjustment - perfect for intricate details like gold leaf.
Sustainability meets perfection
Switching to LED technology not only reduces power consumption by up to a third, but also significantly reduces maintenance requirements. Where previously 20–25 spotlights per cabinet with high maintenance needs were installed, a few perfectly positioned light sources now ensure optimal presentation. The new lighting not only meets the highest aesthetic standards, but also conservation standards.
A milestone for the future
The lighting concept is setting new benchmarks for the museum and captivating both visitors and experts alike. "I am suddenly able to discover details that were previously hidden from me," an art enthusiast reports excitedly. The "Old Masters" collection will now serve as a benchmark for further modernisations at the Städel Museum — with Zumtobel as a trusted partner for sustainable and forward-thinking lighting solutions.
"The scope of colour nuances that we actually use in the museum is indeed very narrow. So an important quality is that our visitors do not actually notice the different settings at all"
Katja Hilbig, Head of Exhibition Services at the Städel Museum
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