Kunstmuseum

Kunstmuseum is the German term for an art collection open to the public, mainly based on previous feudal holdings. English terms like art museum, museum of arts or art gallery, however, cover only part of its meaning, and on the other hand, art collections with a long tradition nowadays may never have included any later term in their official presentation to the public, for example the Albertina and the Akademie der bildenden Künste in Vienna, or the Städel in Frankfort/Main.

A German Kunsthalle, though nowadays often close to a "Kunstmuseum" in its holdings, generally looks back to a younger, non-feudal, i.e. a completely different historical setting and should, therefore, not be confused with the older tradition.