Story of the Museum

Vojtech Löffler Museum in Košice is a significant cultural institution, well-known to the public. The Museum presents the work and art collection of the sculptor Vojtech Löffler and it also presents the work of young artists, organises  workshops, drawing courses, debates and friendly meetings with artists, book presentations and talks. Its exhibition space and courtyard often host chamber concerts. The guided tours for visitors, sale of catalogues and other materials promoting the exhibitions are also provided in the museum.

In 1993, the Old Town of Košice accepted the generous gift of Vojtech Löffler and his wife Klára and opened Vojtech Löffler Museum in the house that the artist left to the city of Košice together with his immensely valuable collection of art. Thus, more than 2000 works of art, including a rare series of 20th century Košice artists’ self-portraits, folk pottery and Löffler’s own sculptures, were made available for the public.

Several generations of artist who played a crucial role in the history of the 20th century art in Košice are represented in this collection of self-portraits, including such artists as Konštantín Kövári-Kačmarik, Ľudovít Čordák, Eugen Krón, Konštantín Bauer, Ľudovít Feld, Imrich Oravecz, Július Jakoby, Juraj Collinásy, Alexander Eckerdt, Štefan Roskoványi and Michal Čičvák.

Keenly aware of the necessity to provide support for the new generation of artists, Löffler decided to leave his collections to the city on one condition. He asked that anexhibition space for contemporary art be opened on the ground floor of the Museum, thus providing a much needed venue for young artists. Löffler’s own actions, as remembered by his contemporaries, have been the greatest testimony to his lifelong generosity and readiness to help others whenever possible.