Learning

Have you always wondered what makes Impressionist painting so special? How did these artists manage to make their paintings glow with such vibrant colors? 

First, take a look at a particularly striking painting from the Museum Ludwig, and then bring it to life—essentially freeing it from the two-dimensional canvas and into three-dimensional space: With these instructions, you can do this at home or at school.

Unicorns, centaurs, and other fantastical creatures abound at the Schnütgen Museum. But where do they actually come from, what exactly do they look like, and how do they differ from one another?

With some works of art, this question seems justified. What led artists to break the rules of art and venture into new territory? Some were tired of depicting nature and people with such precision. 

Landscape paintings created with brush and ink are characteristic of the art of China, Japan, and Korea. Among the various styles, “monochrome” landscape painting—rendered in shades ranging from deep black to white—holds a special place.

Welcoming others—every culture has its own words and gestures for this. Sometimes it brings us closer together, but often we can tell from a distance whether someone is happy to see us.

Archaeologists in Cologne are often at work in the city center, because 2,000 years of the city’s history lie beneath today’s pavement. But what do they find when they dig several meters deep into the ground? 

How did the Romans and Germanic tribes live along the Rhine 2,000 years ago? What were all those ships on the Rhine used for, and what did the towns and villages look like? With the NRW Foundation’s discovery book, children and families can learn lots of exciting facts about the Roman era along the Rhine!

A coat of arms is a mark of quality: as early as the Middle Ages, the “Kölner Brand”—used to identify goods traded in Cologne—became an internationally recognized seal of quality. In the 15th century, the three crowns evolved into the city’s emblem, and they remain so to this day.

How did the Romans and the Germanic tribes perceive the Rhine border, and how do we deal with borders today? Were and are borders merely demarcation lines or fortified strongholds? Who suffers because of borders, and who benefits from them? The teaching materials for grades 7 through 13 address these and other questions, exploring them in depth through the lives of people who lived along the Limes.

Who was the Buddha, where did he live, and what did he teach? How does Buddhism differ from other world religions—and where are the similarities? This material, designed for students in lower secondary school (SEK I) starting in 7th grade, encourages exploration of Buddhism and Buddhist art. It consists of an illustrated text section and an activity section. 

Traces of the Nazi era can be found in many areas—including in the memories of eyewitnesses, in buildings, and throughout the urban landscape. 

Enjoy your meal! As early as the 17th century, those who could afford it in the Rhineland dined at festively set tables adorned with fine porcelain and the finest glassware. 

Enjoy your meal! As early as the 17th century, those who could afford it in the Rhineland dined at festively set tables adorned with fine porcelain and the finest glassware.