Det is sein ‚Milljöh‘

The ZiLLEMUSEUM is located in the heart of the historic Nikolai quarter, directly on the banks of the Spree, just around the corner from what is probably the most beautiful landmark in Berlin – the Ephraim Palais with its golden balcony grilles and in the immediate vicinity of the imposing Kurfürstenhöfe, the newly built Berlin Palace and Berlin Cathedral.

In the arcades of Propststraße, a place has been created that is dedicated to the great son of the city and its 80th honorary citizen – the painter, draughtsman and photographer Heinrich Rudolf Zille (1859 to 1929) and his work.

Not all of his contemporaries necessarily called him “Pinselheinrich” with affection, but some did so rather disparagingly. Zille’s paintings, photos and drawings were a powerful challenge to the Wilhelminian zeitgeist, whose massive industrialization, urbanization and social impoverishment ultimately ended in two world wars.

But Heinrich Zille’s brushes were never soft and fluffy. On the contrary. He wielded a pen that was far sharper than any dragoon’s bayonet of his time. And he wielded it unerringly, quickly and elegantly until his death in 1929. He died, one might think, just in time to avoid having to suffer the consequences of the global economic crisis and Hitler’s rise to power.

After all, he had put himself through a lot by then. For around three decades, Heinrich Zille tirelessly roamed the tuberculosis-infested backyards of Berlin, in brothels and working-class dives. He mercilessly dissected the inner workings of the rapidly growing proletariat and learned its jargon.

When Germany lay in ruins after the Second World War, Zille’s work was very delicately covered with the dust of a junk room – the shame of the historical disaster no longer allowed a clear view of Zille’s sharp mind, but rather relegated his work to the corner of “nostalgic local folklore”.

However, the attentive observer strolling through the streets of Berlin or any other major city today will notice that although language and fashion have changed, Zille’s view of the “Milljöh” is still very close to the social hotspots of our day. Zille set standards with his work and did so very wittily to boot. Zille not only informs critically – he enlightens and entertains.

Follow us through the ZiLLEMUSEUM in Pinselheinrich’s footsteps. Heinrich Zille shows you how we Germans became what we are today. He is more relevant than ever!

Current exhibition

The permanent exhibition “Life and Work” shows original drawings, sketches and lithographs as well as examples of Heinrich Zille’s photographic work. Excerpts from the film “Det war Zille sein Milljöh”, directed by Irmgard von zur Mühlen, can be seen in the cinema room.

Regularly changing special exhibitions round off the museum’s offerings. We are currently showing:
 

“Unconstrained stories and pictures”

A masterpiece of Berlin wit – 2nd Episode