Christian Dell

Wiesbaden City Museum
Foundation Bierstadterstr. 1
65189 Wiesbaden

Project management: Dr. Vera Klewitz, v.klewitzstadtmuseum-wiesbadende, +49 (0)611 44750065
Assistant: Joana Brauhardt, j.brauhardtstadtmuseum-wiesbadende, +49 (0)155 68747335

Christian Dell (Offenbach 1893–1974 Wiesbaden)—trained at the drawing academy in Hanau, master craftsman at the Bauhaus in Weimar, teacher at what is now the Städelschule in Frankfurt, and resident of Wiesbaden—influenced the design of generations, especially in the field of lighting design. 

For the first time in 30 years, the Wiesbaden City Museum Foundation is presenting a comprehensive exhibition on Dell's life and work, showcasing the full range of his creations – from early silver objects and experimental plastic works to sophisticated, mass-produced lighting fixtures that are now on display in design museums around the world. 

The show introduces the design pioneer of the 20th century, who focused his creative work in the Rhine-Main area, and reveals Dell's sources of inspiration as well as his influence on students, including Marianne Brandt and Wilhelm Wagenfeld. 

At the same time, it traces the path from craftsmanship to industrial design. Technical innovations enabled the serial production of aesthetically high-quality, now more affordable objects with high utility value. Because then, as now, people discuss how they want to live and which everyday objects influence our daily lives. 

The exhibition and a scholarly publication on Christian Dell are financially supported by Kulturfonds Frankfurt RheinMain GmbH, the World Design Organization® (WDC – World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026), and Sparkassenstiftung Hessen-Thüringen.

Exhibition dates: June 17 to November 18, 2026
Exhibition opening: June 16, 2026, 7 p.m. Exhibition
opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

sam – City Museum at the Market
Square 3, 65183 Wiesbaden

Art / History / Society
Building & Living / Consumption