Old Pinacotheca. Germany, Munich

Old Pinacotheca

Germany, Munich

Gallery Museums

The Munich Old Pinakothek is one of the most famous art galleries in the world. It presents the works of masters from the Middle Ages to the middle of the eighteenth century. A huge collection of paintings by the Old Pinakothek in Munich was collected for the most part by representatives of the legendary Wittelsbach dynasty, who ruled Bavaria for 700 years. King of Bavaria Ludwig I had numerous works of art stored in various castles and inaccessible to the general public. By his order, the collection was not only systematized, but a separate building was erected for its storage. Considering it his duty to introduce the masses to art, Ludwig I commissioned the architect Leo von Klenze to build a museum. The museum was founded in 1826, and already in 1836 the construction was completed. Although the entrance to the museum on Sundays was free, many Munich residents initially preferred to visit the museum for a picnic on the lawn at its entrance. During the Second World War, the old Pinakothek was badly damaged and was restored only by 1957. Priceless canvases are collected in 19 huge halls and 49 rooms, in which almost 700 paintings are exhibited, among them canvases by Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Albrecht Durer, Bosch, Rembrandt and Rubens, as well as the best examples of Spanish, French, Dutch and Italian painting.
The rooms of the Old Pinakothek are decorated in the spirit of asceticism, so that nothing distracts those who come here to contemplate the masterpieces. On the first floor, in the right wing, are the works of German masters and Flemish artists of the 16-17th centuries, on the second floor are the works of German and Dutch artists. In the fourth and fifth halls are the works of Italian painters of the 15th, 16th centuries, in the halls from the sixth to the eighth - Flemish masters of the 17th century, in the ninth - Dutch masters of the 17th century. In the right wing are the works of French and Italian masters of the 18th century and Spanish artists.
A distinctive feature of this museum is the absence among the exhibits of works of sculpture, graphics, or objects of applied art and antique furniture, which usually like to place museums in their halls. The main collection principle is strictly adhered to in the Pinakothek: only paintings are on its walls and stands.

Barer Straße 27, 80333 München, Germany