When does the exhibition take place?

The special exhibition runs from April 26, 2026, to January 10, 2027.

Where can the exhibition be seen?

At the Amberg City Museum located at Zeughausstraße 18, 92224 Amberg.

How much is the admission fee?

The regular museum admission is €6. Admission is free for children under 6 years.

Are there guided tours available?

Yes, there are public guided tours and special offerings such as the art snack with work examination.

Is the exhibition accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes, there are offerings in easy language, German sign language, and a tactile model. However, the historic building has limited accessibility.

Can you take photos on site?

Photos without flash are generally allowed in the museum, but there may be different rules for special exhibitions.

Prechtl becomes newly visible in Amberg: An exhibition full of visual power

Name: Heads. Times. History(ies). Michael Mathias Prechtl on the 100th Birthday
Start: 2026-04-26T13:00:00+02:00
End: 2027-01-10T01:00:00+01:00
Location: Stadtmuseum Amberg

Michael Mathias Prechtl in Amberg: An exhibition about heads, images and contemporary history

The Amberg City Museum dedicates a major special exhibition to Michael Mathias Prechtl on his 100th birthday, exploring the work of the painter, draftsman, and illustrator born in Amberg from new perspectives. From April 26, 2026, to January 10, 2027, art history meets biographical exploration, museum atmosphere, and an impressive examination of works.

An artist with a sharp eye

Michael Mathias Prechtl (1926–2003) is among the defining German illustrators and draftsmen of the 20th century. He gained international recognition, among other things, through cover illustrations for the New York Times and SPIEGEL. His works combine observational talent, satirical focus, and a visual language that appears particularly concentrated in the interplay of line, composition, and cultural reference.

Loans, estate, and rarely displayed works

The exhibition shows not only loans from private collections but also works from the artistic estate acquired by the city of Amberg in the autumn of 2025. Many of these works have not been publicly seen for a long time. Highlights include the large-format painting The Dream Toledo, a view of the Prunn Castle in the Altmühltal, and designs for the decoration of the Nuremberg town hall. This creates a multifaceted exhibit between painting, graphics, and cultural-historical narrative.

More than an exhibition: Media, Participation, Understanding

Especially strong is the curatorial idea of not only showing Prechtl's art but making it experiential. Media and participation stations invite visitors to examine details closely and discover the connections between works themselves. This is complemented by a tactile model, texts in easy language, and offerings in German sign language. Thus, the visit becomes an inclusive art experience with educational added value.

The city museum as a fitting resonance space

The Amberg City Museum, with its historical architecture and proximity to the city's history, provides an appropriate setting for this presentation. The exhibition integrates into the existing Prechtl permanent exhibition and simultaneously deepens the view of the artist's life and work. The calm, concentrated exhibition atmosphere allows contours, colors, and image ideas to stand out more clearly.

Conclusion

Anyone interested in art, drawing, illustration, and cultural memory will find an exhibition with substance and radiance in Amberg. Heads. Times. History(ies). opens a lively access to Michael Mathias Prechtl and creates a desire for a direct encounter with the works. A visit is worthwhile for all who want to experience art not only as a visual spectacle but in its historical and aesthetic context.