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Hannover – an art lover's paradise

19th December 2006

For art lovers there are few better destinations in Germany than the city of Hannover. The city boast several world class art galleries, and the passion for art also spills out into the open thanks to the street art project which began in the 1970s.

The Sprengel Museum is Hannover's gallery of 20th and 21st century art, aptly sited on Kurt-Schwitters-Platz. The museum is named after a famous artist from the city. The gallery contains examples of German Expressionism and French Modern Art and has recently expanded to include works from all the major movements in recent art history. These include works by Picasso, Nolde, Léger, Beckmann and Klee.

The museum also has an area dedicated to the Dadist Kurt Schwitters and includes a replica of his famous sculpture "Merzbau".

For a look at the lighter side of art, the Wilhelm-Busch Museum is worth a visit. The museum is dedicated to the satirical and humorous art of Busch and others and is the leading gallery for such works in Germany.

The Lower Saxony State Museum (Niedersächsisches Landesmuseum) houses the State Art Gallery with its excellent collection of European paintings from the Middle Ages to the 20th century as well as an aquarium and a natural history museum.

Meanwhile fine examples of Greek and Roman art can be found at the Kestner Museum in Trammplatz. It is the city's museum of applied arts and takes the strap line: One Museum - Four Departments - Six Millenniums, reflecting the huge variation of art and antiques on show.

Stepping out into the streets of Hannover the art of Niki de Saint Phalle is immediately apparent. The French artist was awarded the Freedom of City of Hannover and her famous "Nanas" sculptures can be seen on the banks of the river Leine. These life size sculptures look at the role of women and are typically of women giving birth or of brides. Further examples of the artist's work can be seen in the glass and mirror mosaics that form the grotto in the Herrenhausen Gardens.

After a long and enjoyable day touring the city's art galleries you can enjoy some shopping on the Niki de Saint Phalle promenade in Hannover city centre .

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