Opening of the Wallraf–Richartz Museum in Cologne

Background. The museum's foundation rests on the comprehensive collection of medieval art from Ferdinand Franz Wallraf, which came to the city of Cologne by inheritance in 1824. This collection forms the core of the institution, which is one of the three major museums in Cologne. The museum holds a collection of fine art spanning from the medieval period to the early twentieth century.

Opening. The first building of the museum was donated by Johann Heinrich Richartz. The museum was opened in 1861, just after Richartz's death. This event marks the establishment of the physical institution in Cologne, distinct from the earlier inheritance of the collection in 1824.

Collection. The museum houses significant works, including the Gothic painting Madonna of the Rose Bower and an altarpiece from 1515 from the Great Saint Martin Church in Cologne, one of the few known works by Jacob van Utrecht. These items reflect the museum's focus on medieval and early modern art.