21 October 2025
Settling after Philosophenturm RenovationFamous Kokoschka painting returns to the University
Photo: Andrea Kueppers
During the renovation of the tallest building on Von-Melle-Park campus, Lecture Hall D received a sprinkler system, which will deliver several hectoliters of water from the ceiling into the room in the event of a fire or when the system is activated. As this could cause irreparable damage to the valuable painting, the University of Hamburg is eager to protect the artwork in a customized and well-planned manner. The solution was jointly developed by a team of experts from the University under the aegis of the Center for Collections and Museums with Sprinkenhof GmbH, a qualified conservator, and Hamburg’s monument Protection Office.
The Hamburg Monument Protection Office restoration workshop used additional sealing tape on the front glass and on the back of the triptych’s frames to make the pieces waterproof. Moreover, the frames were reinforced with additional strips of wood to create sufficient space for attaching silica-gel plastic sheets that minimize seasonal climate fluctuation and ensure moisture stability in the sealed frames.
This conversion increased the total weight of the individual works (each picture weighs around 140 kilograms) by around 30 percent. Thus, an engineering company was hired to conduct a static analysis of the Hall’s wall anchors from the 1960s. They also checked the load-bearing capacity of the old suspension system and the new picture frames to ensure safety in the building, which is visited by around 3,000 people every day. The old wall hooks had to be removed after the inspection because they were too weak and could not bear the loads. New steel wall anchors were installed directly in the wall behind the wood paneling. Over the past few days, the paintings were placed in the frames and hung up on site in Lecture Hall D, which was officially celebrated today.
“An icon of our academic culture”
Prof. Dr. Hauke Heekeren, president of the University of Hamburg says: “The return of the Kokoschka painting to its original location in the Philosophenturm is a significant event for Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence. It adds the final touch to the successful renovation of the building and enriches our University culture. I am very delighted that the artwork—created in 1954 and highlighting the humanistic spirit—continues to find its place in a lecture hall, epitomizing the close connection between art, academic, and social responsibility. My warmest thanks go to everyone involved.”
Prof. Dr. Silke Segler-Meßner, dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Hamburg says: “For our faculty, the Kokoschka triptych is much more than a piece of art—it is a symbol of our campus identity, our academic culture, our tradition, and our commitment to creative, and critical ways of thinking. The triptych reminds us that sustaining the vibrant connection between art, history and academia is essential to strengthening our common culture of thinking and learning in the long term. The Kokoschka forms part of the Faculty of Humanities, of the Philosophenturm and vice versa.”
The large-format painting Thermopylae oder der Kampf um die Errettung des Abendlandes was created in tempera on canvas by the important Austrian painter, graphic artist, and writer Oskar Kokoschka (1886–1980) for the University of Hamburg in 1954. In 3 scenes, it depicts the Greek narrative of the Battle of Thermopylae, which was handed down by the ancient historian Herodotus.
Originally, the artist had not wanted any money from the University for this, all he requested was a ‘large wall,’ which Bruno Snell, rector of the University at that time, promised him in 1952. When he had completed the work, however, Kokoschka apologized that he could not keep the promise of a donation, as there was a lot of life energy in the paintings and he also had to think about his family.
The University then entered into negotiations with the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg to purchase the paintings, made possible by a loan from the Hamburg industrialist Kurt A. Körber. Eventually, the entrepreneur and patron of the arts Philipp F. Reemtsma and his wife Gertrud paid the entire sum and donated the best-known and most valuable work of art in their collection to the University. The Philosophenturm has been its home since May 1963.
High-resolution photos for reporting are available for download.