K20 Grabbeplatz (Kunstsammlung NRW)

K20 Grabbeplatz is the older of the two Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen museum buildings in Düsseldorf, Germany, and houses the state's collection of classical modern art from the twentieth century. The black polished-granite façade on Grabbeplatz in the Altstadt, opened in 1986, is a landmark in itself, and the glass-fronted piazza behind it provides a bright public entrance. Inside, the collection is strongest on Paul Klee, whose works form one of the largest holdings in Germany, alongside key pieces by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Wassily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian, Max Ernst and Joan Miró. Later galleries cover American postwar art including Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol, and the museum has a distinctive Joseph Beuys presence reflecting his long association with Düsseldorf. Temporary exhibitions occupy the large upper halls and change several times a year, so the visit can feel different from one season to the next. Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours, and a focused look at the permanent highlights can be done in about 90 minutes. The museum is quietest on weekday mornings shortly after opening at 11:00AM and busiest on weekend afternoons and when major exhibitions are on. The building is closed on Mondays and during Karneval. A single-house ticket costs roughly EUR 12 to 16, and a combined ticket with K21 Ständehaus is usually available, which suits visitors who want to compare classical and contemporary art on the same day. On the first Wednesday of the month the museum offers late opening, which tends to attract a younger crowd. A museum shop and café are on site. Photography without flash is commonly allowed in the permanent collection, though rules for special exhibitions vary and should be checked at the entrance. Audio guides are available in several languages and are useful for the Klee rooms, where works are small and delicate and are sometimes rotated for conservation reasons.