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27/7/2011

The Alte Pinakothek in Historical Photographs

Alte Pinakothek, Munich

Curated by Martin Schawe and Elisabeth Hipp

On 16 October, 2011 the Alte Pinakothek will be 175 years old. In the exhibition "The Alte Pinakothek in Historical Photographs" visitors will be able to see Leo von Klenze's celebrated building in all its glory - as it once looked before World War II and the destruction that ensued. An Alte Pinakothek, as nobody knows it anymore - brought back to life in front of our very eyes.

A selection of the most beautiful architectural and interior photographs from the Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen's photographic archive taken between 1909 and 1944 will be presented. The pictures depict the ceiling decoration in the rooms with their gilded figurative and ornamental plasterwork, as well as the fresco cycle with its complex iconographic composition designed by Peter von Cornelius in the loggia corridor that once ran along the upper floor. The statues on the former artists' balustrade on the south side were also photographed. Virtually no traces remain today of all these. On top of this, the views of the rooms in particular highlight the alterations to the decoration and the presentation of the paintings made in the first few decades of the 20th century. The atmosphere can be felt, for example, in the former restoration room after its windows had been blocked up to create more hanging space, and how it was seen once again by the public after further remodelling in 1909, when its windows were opened up again. The pictures, generally hung in several parallel rows in the various rooms, can be studied closely in the photographs. Even the various materials used for the wall coverings such as exquisite damask and textiles with printed patterns are recognisable. One can almost be envious of visitors at that time for the comfortable seating in the main rooms with curved upholstered benches around a central back.

The pictures taken by photographers at the Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen document both the architecture of Klenze's building and its use as a museum. The photographs primarily served a documentary purpose. They were also used for postcards and as illustrations for magazine articles and, as such, helped promote the Alte Pinakothek.

This exhibition is not intended as a glorification of the past. It is much more about raising the public's awareness of the museum's and building's history - a building whose remaining fabric was saved through the reconstruction work carried out under the architect Hans Döllgast, and the completely new accents that were set that have themselves gone down in the annals of architectural history.

The large-format, black-and-white prints displayed in the exhibition are based on digitalised copies of the original negatives. The photographs are reproduced in the highest possible quality in the catalogue (approx. 160 pages) and accompanied by commentaries by the curators. With further referential texts, a chronicle and an essay, the publication also includes in-depth information on the history of the building, the museum and the photographers.

Further information and pictorial material Tine Nehler tel. 089 23805-118 or via e-mail to presse@pinakothek.de

Press preview: Thursday, July 28, 11 am
Opening: Thursday, July 28, 7 pm

Alte Pinakothek
Barer Strasse 29, Munich
Opening times: Daily except Mon. 10 am-6 pm
Tues. 10 am-8 pm

Special exhibitions: 5 euros, Concessions 3 euros
Permanent collection: 7 euros, Concessions 5 euros
Alte Pinakothek combined ticket: 10 euros, Concessions 7 euros

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