Mutter Ey Café
Living art history in Düsseldorf
The Mutter Ey Café in the Andreas Quartier pays homage to the legendary Johanna Ey. The gallerist and patron of the arts, who went down in art history as ‘Mutter Ey’, supported students of the Düsseldorf Art Academy and young artists in the 1920s. By promoting talents such as Otto Dix and Max Ernst, she shaped more than just the Düsseldorf art scene. Her tireless commitment to art and her ability to create an inspiring atmosphere in her café on Ratinger Straße have been taken up again in the Mutter Ey Café. Here, art never goes hungry – here, art and culinary delights come together in their finest form.
Welcome to Mutter Ey!
A meeting place for connoisseurs of the art of living
The inviting warmth radiated by the modern design of the Mutter Ey Café recalls the historic coffee house and bakery that Johanna Ey once ran on Ratinger Straße. The finest coffee house specialities, complemented by Rhenish lunch dishes, make a visit to the Mutter Ey Café an authentic pleasure. Mutter Ey thus becomes a meeting place for the most diverse personalities.
Culinary delights
Traditional recipes and modern creations
The menu combines traditional recipes with new creations. The ‘Geheimwaffe(l)n Mutter Ey’ are famous – fresh waffles with icing sugar and hot cherries, a tribute to the culinary preferences of the café's namesake. In addition, there is a selection of delicious gateaux and savoury dishes, suitable both for a light bite and for more substantial meals.
Art gallery
Always dedicated to art
The highlight of the café is the gallery on the first floor, which – entirely in the spirit of its namesake – offers young artists a platform with changing exhibitions. Here, students from the nearby Art Academy are given the opportunity to present their works to the public free of charge. In addition, the gallery at Mutter Ey is the perfect setting for a reception at smaller events.
Legendary patron of the arts
Johanna Ey: an icon of the Düsseldorf art scene
Johanna Ey, known as ‘Mutter Ey’, was a formative figure in the Düsseldorf art scene of the early 20th century. She ran a café near the Düsseldorf Art Academy, which became a meeting place for young artists, as well as for actors and journalists. She recognised the potential of these talents and began to exhibit and sell their works.
Supporting art students
Mutter Ey was known for her generosity and commitment, particularly towards the students of the Düsseldorf Art Academy, which is located directly opposite today's Andreas Quartier. She not only offered them a warm place to gather, but also supported them financially and emotionally. At a time when it was difficult for young artists to find recognition and financial support, Ey offered them loans that often never had to be repaid. She bought their works and found buyers for them. And she went down in history as the most frequently portrayed woman of her time.
Influence on the art scene
Through her tireless support and skilful networking, Mutter Ey made a significant contribution to promoting and establishing numerous artists who later became world-famous. Among the artists she supported were important names such as Otto Dix, Max Ernst and many other members of the ‘Rhenish Expressionists’. Her gallery ‘Junge Kunst – Frau Ey’ became a centre for modern art and played a crucial role in the development of the German art scene in the 1920s.
Legacy
Johanna Ey's legacy lives on, not only through the works of the artists she supported, but also through places such as the Mutter Ey Café in the Andreas Quartier. Her name is synonymous with unconditional support for the arts and a commitment to nurturing talent. Her story reminds us of the importance of supporting art and culture and of creating spaces in which creativity can flourish.
Johanna Ey died in 1947, but her influence can still be felt today. Her life story and her commitment to art continue to be celebrated and honoured.
