Rathausausstellung 2026 - Tafel 03: Die Hamburger Kulturlandschaft vor 1933 | Town-hall Exhibition 2026 - Panel 03: Hamburg’s cultural landscape before 1933

Traditionally, art and culture were regarded as private pleasures, rather than matters of public interest. It was only in the 19th century that large-scale art and history museums began to emerge, mainly at the initiative of private individuals or associations. Patrons began to promote and support artists. While municipal art commissions awarded financial grants, they had little influence on the city’s cultural life. Before the Nazis came to power, Hamburg as a metropolitan hub enjoyed a diverse cultural life. Alongside such high-culture genres as opera, theatre, museums, and classical music, there was also a socialist-influenced working-class culture, with cinemas and vaudeville shows offering light entertainment. Modern art movements such as expressionism and jazz became more and more popular.