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23/10/2003

Rediscover the Nineteenth Century

Neue Pinakothek, Munich

The Neue Pinakothek celebrates the 150th anniversary of its founding

Ludwig I founded the Neue Pinakothek in the middle of the 19th century as the first public museum in Europe, devoted exclusively to contemporary art. With this precedent-setting initiative, the Bavarian King proved his commitment to art and culture, a commitment that is still evident in Munich, the city of art, to this day. The collection, which was open to the public in 1853, contains masterpieces from Jacques Louis David, Francisco Goya, Friedrich Overbeck, Caspar David Friedrich, Adolph von Menzel, Carl Spitzweg, Gustave Courbet, Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh. After the destruction of the original building in 1944/45, the new museum, designed by architect Baron Alexander von Branca, was opened in 1981.

On October 25, 2003 the Neue Pinakothek will be 150 years old. This is an occasion to celebrate not only the museum's anniversary, but also the complete revision of its collection. Following a short period during which the museum has been closed, it will reopen on October 25, presenting most of its rooms in new colors.

In a special event commemorating the anniversary, major paintings from the era of Ludwig I will be presented. In a specially reconstructed room, 14 paintings from the renowned Greek Cycle of Carl Rottmann will be seen together for the first time in more than 60 years. King Ludwig I commissioned Rottmann to paint this cycle in 1838. Along with his Italian Cycle, painted in 1850, it is considered among Rottmann's major works. The cycle shows landscapes, based on topographical sketches, depicting ancient Greek history and mythology. Although the wall panels were commissioned for the northern arcades of the Munich Hofgarten, they were exhibited at the opening of the Neue Pinakothek on October 25, 1853 in a room of their own in the new gallery. In the last 22 years only four landscapes could be seen in the foyer of the Neue Pinakothek. Others were displayed in the State Antique Collections at Königsplatz and in the Prinz-Carl-Palais. Now Rottmann's Greek Cycle is back together again in a room devoted to it.

Major reconstruction during the last few weeks was necessary to hang the heavy wall panels, which were painted in a wax- resin or oil technique on plaster panels. The reconstruction was made possible through the Ernst von Siemens Art Foundation.

A comprehensive anniversary volume accompanies the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Neue Pinakothek. The magnificent volume introduces the museum along with the era from the age of enlightenment to the dawn of modern times in an exemplary fashion. In addition a new catalogue with new color reproductions shows visitors the variety and wealth of the collection in a clear and easy to follow fashion. Another book documents the collection at the time of the founding of the Neue Pinakothek in 1853. And finally, the publication of two new comprehensive catalogues completes the scientific survey of the collection so that those interested in closer study of the Neue Pinakothek and its art works can examine them in detail.

On October 25 and 26 visitors can rediscover the Neue Pinakothek, one of the world's most important museums of 19th century Art. On Saturday, October 25, at 4 p.m. the museum invites visitors to help celebrate the 150th anniversary, naturally with free admission. The musical entertainment and an enlightening production go on until midnight. On Sunday, October 26 the museum will also be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. The celebrations conclude with a festival concert, which takes place in the lobby at 8 p.m.

Invitation to the press preview on October 24, 2003 at 11 am

Responsible curators:
Dr. Joachim Kaak
Dr. Herbert W. Rott

Edouard Manet: Le Déjeuner dans l'atelier, 1868 (detail)

The Neue Pinakothek
Barer Straße 29, D-80799 Munich
Tel. +49.(0)89.23805-118, Fax +49.(0)89.23805-125

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