Malkasten

thumb|300px|An event at the in 1869; from Die Gartenlaube Malkasten (English: "Paintbox") is a progressive German artists' association, founded in Düsseldorf in 1848, during the March Revolution. Since 1867, their headquarters have been in the Pempelfort district.

== History == During the unrest in 1848, artists also began to take part in political discussions. In August of that year, the held an event called the "Fest der Deutschen Einheit" (Festival for German Unity). Many artists and sculptors associated with the Düsseldorfer Malerschule took part in its artistic design. On the night of the celebration, they decided to establish an artist's association which, a few days later, they named "Malkasten", at the suggestion of Karl Hübner. The name was meant to express the equality of every "color"; artistic and political. thumb|185px|left|Karl Hübner, who suggested the name "Malkasten" The 112 founding members included not only academic professors, such as Theodor Hildebrandt, Heinrich Mücke and Karl Ferdinand Sohn, but also Lorenz Clasen, the editor of the satirical journal '''', as well as many members of the Malerschule; including Johann Peter Hasenclever, Joseph Fay, Johann Wilhelm Preyer, Peter Schwingen and the German-born American painter, Emanuel Leutze, who played a key role in developing an art community that was independent of the academies. Although women became active in the organization well before the end of the 19th century, they were not admitted as members until 1977.