When does the exhibition take place?

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

How much is the admission fee?

The regular admission to the City Museum is 6 euros. Discounts and family tickets are also available.

Are there guided tours for the exhibition?

Yes, there will be public tours, curator-led tours, short tours, and group tours.

Is the exhibition accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes, the special exhibition rooms are accessible via an elevator. There are also barrier-free educational offerings.

Where is the museum located?

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

Is photography allowed?

Please refer to the information on-site or at the museum cash desk. Regulations may vary depending on the special exhibition.

Prechtl's World in Amberg: A Rare Artistic Experience Full of History and Visual Magic

Name: Heads. Times. Stories. Michael Mathias Prechtl on the 100th Birthday
Start: 2026-11-14T12:00:00+01:00
End: 2027-01-10T18:00:00+01:00
Location: Stadtmuseum Amberg

Heads, Times, and Stories: Michael Mathias Prechtl at the Amberg City Museum

On the occasion of the 100th birthday of painter, draftsman, and illustrator Michael Mathias Prechtl, born in Amberg, the Amberg City Museum is opening an exhibition that uniquely connects art history, city history, and aesthetic experience. The special exhibition Heads. Times. Stories. showcases works from the estate, supplemented by loans from private collections, and brings to light an artist whose visual worlds continue to fascinate with precision, irony, and intellectual depth to this day.

A Portrait of an Artist of Distinction

Michael Mathias Prechtl, born in Amberg in 1926 and deceased in Nuremberg in 2003, is regarded as one of the defining German draftspersons and illustrators of the 20th century. His works gained international recognition, including cover illustrations for the New York Times and DER SPIEGEL. The exhibition illustrates how Prechtl masterfully condensed historical motifs, political allusions, and literary references into an unmistakable visual language. His work traverses painting, graphic design, illustration, and caricature, without ever being confined to a single genre.

Originals, Estate Works, and Rarely Exhibited Pieces

Particularly enticing is the juxtaposition of artworks from the artistic estate acquired by the city of Amberg in 2025 and selected loans. Visitors will see works that have either never been shown publicly or haven't been displayed in a long time. This includes large-scale paintings, views, designs, and work complexes that open up Prechtl's thematic world between history, society, and humor. Thus, the exhibition offers not only a look at the works but also a deep dive into the thought process of an artist who argues as much with lines, colors, and compositions as with stories.

The View on Dürer, History, and the Present

Prechtl's art is shaped by historical education as much as by playful intelligence. His engagement with Albrecht Dürer, Nürnberger and Upper Palatinate themes, as well as cultural historical narratives, lends special breadth to the works. In the museum, an exhibition atmosphere unfolds in which precise drawing, artistic condensation, and witty montage mutually enhance each other. Those who walk through the rooms experience an exhibition that simultaneously challenges the eyes and the mind.

Education, Tours, and Cultural Learning

The accompanying program is consciously designed to be diverse and strengthens cultural education. Public tours, curator-led tours, art snacks, lectures, readings, and a student competition complement the exhibition. This makes the exhibition not only a place of contemplation but also of conversation and deeper engagement. For school classes, families, and art-interested adults, a lively approach to biography, artistic movements, and work development is created.

A Museum Visit with Accessibility and Comfort

The Amberg City Museum is easily accessible, centrally located, and equipped for various needs. An elevator provides access to the Prechtl areas and the special exhibition rooms, and the museum also offers barrier-free educational formats, including tours in German Sign Language, simple language, and for blind and visually impaired individuals. This transforms the visit into an open art experience for a wide audience.

Conclusion: Heads. Times. Stories. is an exhibition for everyone who wants not only to see art but to read, discover, and experience it anew. Among originals, rare loans, and a strong educational program, a multifaceted portrait of Michael Mathias Prechtl emerges. A visit to the Amberg City Museum is definitely worthwhile.