We had been to the State library trying to see the place that features in the Wim Wenders film Wings of Desire but were denied entry – very disappointing. Next item on our agenda was this gallery that I was keen to see. It was wonderful. Full of Old Masters. Expecting wonders I was still surprised to see Botticelli’s Venus almost straight away. Breathtaking even though facsimiles abound.
His Saint Sebastian was also gorgeous. They are both enormous! Amazing to seeing them in a room virtually by ourselves.
And here’s another Botticelli, Portrait of A Young Woman. Beautiful and so detailed.
Given our Amsterdam visit has been abandoned I was keen to see the Flemish and Dutch paintings housed here. Including those by Rembrandt. This painting, The Golden Helmet, was purchased as a Rembrandt in 1897 and became an ‘icon of the museum’ after WWII. Until advanced testing in 1986 resulted in its dis-attribution from Rembrandt to a member of his ‘immediate circle’. It’s beautiful and looks like a Rembrandt!
Here are a couple of actual Rembrandts. This is St. Joseph’s Dream.
And this is his Christuskopf.
And this, Der Alte mit der roten Mütze.
I was especially keen to see the gallery’s two Vermeers. I liked Young Woman With a Pearl Necklace best.
The Glass of Wine, is also lovely, though I rather wonder whether the woman is being forced to drink the wine!
I loved seeing the Frans Hals paintings. His people are so rosy cheeked and cheerful. This is Catherina Hooft mit ihrer Amme. Love the clothes!
And this is titled Bildris eines Mannes – such a swashbuckling hat!
One more from Hals, Bildnis einer Frau.
And here are some more familiar Dutch paintings. Die niederländischen Sprichwörter by Pieter Breugel.
And by the same artist, Die Kreuztragung.
I’m not so familiar with this artist, Aert van der Neer, but I loved this – Winterlandschaft mit Schlittschuhläufern.
And look, here’s another painting of Friedrich the Great, this before he was great, just the Crown Prince. By Antoine Pesne.
Throughout the gallery you came across these pamphlets identifying the favourite paintings of various staff members. They include the picture and quotes from the people saying what they like about the painting. The man likes the woman in Valãzquez’s painting because of the little smile as though she’s making something up. The woman chose her Watteau painting because it reminds her of her grandmother. What a great idea.
There was a special exhibition Donatello: Inventor of the Renaissance happening at the gallery. It’s being advertised all over Berlin and was busier than the other rooms. Joe had a quick look but I was too tired so sat down next to this – his beautiful statue of David. See Goliath’s head at his feet, along with the slingshot that downed him.
And the delicacy of the face of the youthful David.
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