Nolde Exhibition Seebüll — 2026 Season

70th Annual Exhibition at the Artist's Home

The Nolde Museum Seebüll, located in the municipality of Neukirchen in the Nordfriesland district — the northernmost point of Schleswig-Holstein, directly on the Danish border — is the former residence and studio of the Expressionist artist Emil Nolde (1867–1956) and is one of Germany's most visited artist houses. Since 1957, the Ada and Emil Nolde Foundation Seebüll has presented a changing special exhibition each year from its collection of around 4,000 works. In 2026, it will be the 70th edition — marking a double anniversary.

Double Anniversary: Ada and Emil Nolde

The 2026 season is dedicated to two individuals:

• Emil Nolde (1867–1956) — one of the most significant painters of German Expressionism, whose 70th death anniversary falls in 2026
• Ada Vilstrup (1879–1946) — Nolde's first wife, a Danish actress, life companion, and closest collaborator for 44 years. 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of her death

Both will be equally honored in the exhibition: an accompanying photo exhibition documents their 44-year marriage and their shared work in Seebüll.

Relationships between People, Nature, and Art

The 2026 theme — curated by Foundation Director Christian Ring — explores how Nolde's work evolved from his encounters: encounters with the Frisian landscapes, with the dramatic coastal light of the North Sea, with the flowers in his famous garden — and with the people who shaped his life. Oil paintings, watercolors, and prints will be exhibited, including 37 works never publicly presented before from the Foundation's archive.

The Seebüll Artist House

The residence and studio, designed by Nolde himself in 1927, is part of the museum visit. The rooms are preserved as the artist last used them — with original furniture, stained glass windows, and personal belongings. Adjacent to the house is the Seebüll Flower Garden, which Nolde laid out himself and which was the subject of countless watercolors. From March to October, roses, irises, dahlias, and poppies bloom here — in waves that change with the seasons.

Program at the Seebüll Art School

Throughout the season, the Foundation also offers courses and workshops at the Seebüll Art School — watercolor and oil painting courses for adults, family workshops, and school programs. Guided tours of the house, garden, and exhibition are also offered several times a day.

International Museum Day

On May 17, 2026 (International Museum Day), admission to the museum is free — an opportunity to explore the entire ensemble of residence, studio, garden, and special exhibition at no cost.