Kestnergesellschaft

Kestnergesellschaft - is an art gallery in Hanover, Germany.

The Kestnergesellschaft, sometimes referred to as the Kestner society, was founded in 1916 with the goal of promoting the arts in Hanover, Germany. Its founders included the painter Wilhelm von Debschitz (1871-1948). The association blossomed under the management of Alexander Dorner and Justus Bier as a pioneer of modern art.

After the Second World War Alfred Hentzen took over the management in 1947 followed by Fritz Schmalenbach. In 1997 the Kestnergesellschaft moved into new premises at Goseriede 11, the former site of the Goseriede baths. The new gallery lies directly next to the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung, Hanover's local newspaper.

The gallery hit the headlines in 2005 when it exhibited a mud house created by Spanish artist Santiago Sierra featuring a room with mud floor reminiscent of Lake Maschsee.

The gallery's current director is Veit Goerner.