The Gemäldegalerie in Berlin

Although the „Gemäldegalerie” (Old Masters Paintings) has probably the most important and most valuable pictures of Berlin, it’s not too well know among the visitors. The reason may be in it’s location – close to the Potsdamer Platz, at the so called “Kulturforum”.  But most of Berlins famous museums are concentrated on the Museuminsel (museums island), the Old National Gallery, the Old and the New Museum, the Pergamon Museum and the Bode Museum – all in buildings that have their own history and are pieces of art themselves and on top of that some of them like the Bode and New Museum have been renovated with much time, effort and expenses so their recent reopenings were highlights in the art world and drew the attention to this space.  Also the whole area around –  “Unter den Linden” – was planned (18. /19. century) as a center of  art and knowledge. So apart from the museums island the nearby Humboldt University, the Staatsoper and the first public library next to it  – founded by Frederic the Great – belong to this complex.

The Gemäldegalerie was also a child of it’s time: just before the wall came down – in1986 – the competition for a new museumsbuilding that should contain the old master paintings was held and the construction continued during the process of the reunification. 1998 this modern building opend it’s doors. From the outside nearly unvisible is the inside with it’s clear proportions and the quiet elegance stunning. There is huge empty hall in the middle with columns and a fountain based on the geometric elements that are also used to create a clear and calming atmosphere that is the perfect surrounding for the enjoyment of the art pieces.

The Rooms are located in a centric circle around this main hall so that two wings are created that go in chronological order starting with the oldest paintings at the entrance and end up with the 18.century at the other side. What is even more astonishing is that we have the south alpine tradition starting with Italy on the left hand the north alpine tradition on the right hand so that there is not just a chronological but also a geographic order what makes the orientation really simple.

And the art pieces are a feast themselves. They have masterpieces of Giotto and Botticelli, Caravaggio and Canaletto but also Lucas Cranach and Rogier van der Weyden or Rembrandt. In quality – although not quantity – this museum is to compare with such as the National Gallery in London or the Prado in Madrid. The smaller size is more an advantage since one has at least the feeling might be possible to see the main part in one day, but the biggest advantage is the lack of tourist – so one can enjoy all the treasures almost alone.

Mara Maroske

Enjoy some of the most important old master paintings like Caravaggio�s “Amor” in an almost private atmosphere together with all the other museums of Berlin. So don�t hesitate to rent apartments in Berlin and meet also its vivid contemporary art scene.

Translated by: aleixgwilliam
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