Musée Tomi Ungerer, officially designated as the International Center for Illustration, is located in the Villa Greiner in Strasbourg. The museum opened on 2 November 2007 and was initially directed by founding director Thérèse Willer. In March 2023, it was led by the German art historian and curator Anna Sailer.
The building was originally the Villa Greiner, built by Paris architect Revel between 1885 and 1887. It later served as the headquarters of the RTF in the 1950s and was purchased by the city of Strasbourg in 1963 for municipal uses. Following complete renovation, the museum presents around 8,000 drawings, posters, graphics, and sculptures by Tomi Ungerer across 700 square metres. Its interiors are characterized by white walls, floors, stairs, and blinds. The collection includes original drawings and prints from all periods of the artist’s work, as well as documents, a library, a video library, a press archive, and around 6,000 toys from Ungerer’s personal possession. The museum is near Place Broglie and Place de la République in the German Imperial District.
Nearby Objects
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Palace of the Alsace-Lorraine Diet 60 m away -
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Place de la République 200 m away -
Monument aux morts 200 m away -
Strasbourg Opera House 200 m away
Museum Tomi Ungerer in Villa Greiner
The Museum Tomi Ungerer is located in Villa Greiner in Strasbourg and is officially designated as the International Center for Illustration. It houses a large collection of drawings, archives, toys, and magazines by the Alsatian artist Tomi Ungerer. The museum opened on November 2, 2007. Its first director was the founding director Thérèse Willer, and in March 2023 it was led by the German art historian and curator Anna Sailer.
From Villa Greiner to a Museum for Ungerer
The building was originally the Villa Greiner, constructed by the Paris architect Revel between 1885 and 1887. It later served as the headquarters of the RTF in the 1950s, and was purchased by the city of Strasbourg in 1963 for various municipal uses, including conservatory and opera branches. Located near Place Broglie and Place de la Republique in the German Imperial District, it was completely renovated to house the Musee Tomi Ungerer / Centre international de l'illustration.
After renovation, the museum presents about 8,000 drawings, posters, graphics, and sculptures by Ungerer across 700 square meters. The renovation cost about four million euros and was mainly financed by the city of Strasbourg. The interiors are marked by white walls, floors, stairs, and blinds, creating a highly restrained setting for the collection. A garden ramp designed by architect Emmanuel Combarel refers to the artist's curved spirit, and the garden also contains the metal sculpture Sur les dents, a 2.40 meter tall work based on a drawing by Ungerer. Installed in April 2011 and unveiled during the 2011 Tomi Ungerer Year in Strasbourg, it was created to honor the artist's 80th birthday.
Collection and Exhibition Layout
The museum's collection consists of original drawings and prints that represent all production lines and creative periods of the artist. It includes drawings from children's books, satirical drawings, drawings, and advertising posters representing all styles. The collection is supplemented by works by other international artists. It also contains an extensive document collection, including a library, a video library, and a press archive about Ungerer and illustrations in general. In addition, it holds around 6,000 toys from Ungerer's personal possession, including mechanical toys, tin soldiers, and board games. Most documents and toys are replaced three times annually because of light sensitivity.
The collection is presented on three levels in chronological order of the most important events. The ground floor presents illustrations and children's books by the artist, and a room with a video terminal is dedicated to his biography. The first floor shows advertising posters and drawings of political satire, including works against racial segregation in the United States and the Vietnam War. These advertising posters were mainly developed for campaigns in the United States, but also for local companies such as Elecetricite de Strasbourg and Bonduelle. The basement presents a selection of works dealing with themes of death and eroticism.