When does the exhibition take place?

The exhibition runs from April 26, 2026, to January 10, 2027, at the Amberg City Museum.

How much is the entrance fee?

Admission to the special exhibition is free.

Are there guided tours?

Yes, public tours, curator tours, and short tours with work observation are offered.

Is the exhibition wheelchair accessible?

The historic building is only partially accessible, but the special exhibitions are reachable via lift and hydraulic lift.

Are there offers for children or groups?

Yes, the museum offers an extensive educational program with interactive stations and museum educational formats.

Where is the museum located?

The Amberg City Museum is located at Zeughausstraße 18 in 92224 Amberg.

Prechtl's Imagery in Amberg: An Exhibition Full of Memory, Irony, and Depth

Name: Heads. Times. History(ies). Michael Mathias Prechtl on his 100th Birthday
Start: 2026-04-26T13:00:00+02:00
End: 2027-01-10T18:00:00+01:00
Location: Stadtmuseum Amberg

A jubilee that makes Amberg culturally shine

With the special exhibition Heads. Times. History(ies). Michael Mathias Prechtl on his 100th Birthday, the Amberg City Museum brings one of the city's most prominent sons into the spotlight: the painter, draftsman, and illustrator Michael Mathias Prechtl, born in Amberg in 1926. The exhibition opens on April 26, 2026, and runs until January 10, 2027. It combines art historical precision with an impressive examination of the works and invites an aesthetic experience that reaches far beyond the region. ([stadtmuseum-amberg.de](https://stadtmuseum-amberg.de/de/aktuell/sonderausstellungen/koepfe.-zeiten.-geschichte-n-.-michael-mathias-prechtl-zum-100.-geburtstag))

Prechtl in focus: Drawing art with attitude

Prechtl gained international recognition, among other things, through cover illustrations for The New York Times and DER SPIEGEL. His images are regarded as multifaceted, allusive, and cleverly composed; it is precisely this tension between irony, historical reflection, and visually powerful storytelling that makes the exhibition so appealing. The City Museum presents the works from new perspectives and also illuminates previously less considered aspects of his work. ([stadtmuseum-amberg.de](https://stadtmuseum-amberg.de/de/aktuell/sonderausstellungen/koepfe.-zeiten.-geschichte-n-.-michael-mathias-prechtl-zum-100.-geburtstag))

Rare loans and newly acquired estate

The focus is on works from the artistic estate acquired by the city of Amberg as well as numerous loans from private collections, including works that had long been unseen or never before shown publicly. Highlights include the large-format painting The Dream Toledo, a view of the Burg Prunn in the Altmühltal, a personal anniversary painting, and designs for the decoration of the Nuremberg town hall. The exhibition thus provides a rich overview of topics, motifs, and Prechtl's artistic handwriting. ([stadtmuseum-amberg.de](https://stadtmuseum-amberg.de/de/aktuell/sonderausstellungen/koepfe.-zeiten.-geschichte-n-.-michael-mathias-prechtl-zum-100.-geburtstag))

Biographical proximity, art historical breadth

Particularly exciting is the look at Prechtl's personal imagery: His wife Frydl Zuleeg significantly shaped his portrait art as the most important model early on. The exhibition also questions the representation of women, gender, identity, and self-determination. In this way, it connects biography, art history, and contemporary relevance in a clever manner, making the curation a true artistic experience. ([stadtmuseum-amberg.de](https://stadtmuseum-amberg.de/de/aktuell/sonderausstellungen/koepfe.-zeiten.-geschichte-n-.-michael-mathias-prechtl-zum-100.-geburtstag))

Interactive, inclusive, and strong in museum education

Several media and interactive stations, developed in cooperation with OTH Amberg, open up direct access to the works. The exhibition is complemented by a tactile model of a central work as well as texts in easy language and German sign language. The Amberg City Museum demonstrates how cultural education, inclusion, and aesthetic experience can come together. ([stadtmuseum-amberg.de](https://stadtmuseum-amberg.de/de/aktuell/sonderausstellungen/koepfe.-zeiten.-geschichte-n-.-michael-mathias-prechtl-zum-100.-geburtstag))

A place with collection, history, and atmosphere

The Amberg City Museum combines art, history, and culture of past times; the adjoining city gallery displays contemporary visual art. The building is located at Zeughausstraße 18 in 92224 Amberg and is open Tuesday to Friday from 11 am to 4 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm, closed on Mondays. Admission is free for the special exhibition and the city gallery; the historical building is only partially accessible, but special exhibitions and several areas are reachable by lift and hydraulic lift. ([stadtmuseum-amberg.de](https://www.stadtmuseum-amberg.de/))

Accompanying program that deepens the visit

The accompanying program focuses on work observation, guided tours, and discussions: Public tours for adults, an art snack with a short tour, and a reading bridge the gap between visual art and literature. Thus, the visit is not only informative but also sensory and dialogical. ([stadtmuseum-amberg.de](https://stadtmuseum-amberg.de/de/aktuell/sonderausstellungen/koepfe.-zeiten.-geschichte-n-.-michael-mathias-prechtl-zum-100.-geburtstag))

Conclusion: This special exhibition offers a rare, carefully curated look at Michael Mathias Prechtl and his distinctive visual language. Those seeking depth in art, historical resonance, and modern mediation should definitely experience this exhibition live in Amberg. ([stadtmuseum-amberg.de](https://stadtmuseum-amberg.de/de/aktuell/sonderausstellungen/koepfe.-zeiten.-geschichte-n-.-michael-mathias-prechtl-zum-100.-geburtstag))