Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In painting, heart-on-your-sleeve romanticism that drew heavily on emotion and a dreamy
idealism dominated the 19th century. A reason for this development was the awakening of a
nationalist spirit in Germany, spurred by the Napoleonic Wars. Top dog of the era was Cas-
par David Friedrich, best known for his moody, allegorical landscapes. Although more fam-
ous as an architect, Karl Friedrich Schinkel also created some fanciful canvases. Eduard
Gärtner's paintings documenting Berlin's evolving cityscape found special appeal among the
middle classes.
A parallel development was the so-called Berliner Biedermeier, a more conservative and
painstakingly detailed style that appealed to the emerging Prussian middle class. The name
itself is derived from the German word for conventional (
bieder
) and the common surname
of Meier. Visit the Knoblauchhaus in the Nikolaiviertel (Nikolai Quarter) for fine examples.
The Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery) on Museumsinsel (Museum Island) and the
Neuer Pavillon (New Pavillon) of Schloss Charlottenburg are both showcases of 19th cen-
tury paintings.
A student of Rauch, the sculptor Reinhold Begas developed a neo-baroque, theatrical
style that met with a fair amount of controversy in his lifetime. Major works include the
Neptune fountain next to the Marienkirche below the TV Tower, and the Schiller memorial
on Gendarmenmarkt.
Into the 20th Century
Berliner Secession
The Berliner Secession was formed in 1898 by a group of progressive-minded artists who
rejected the traditional teachings of the arts academies that stifled any new forms of expres-
sion. The schism was triggered in 1891, when the established Verein Berliner Künstler (Ber-
lin Artist Association) refused to show paintings by Edvard Munch at its annual salon, and
reached its apex in 1898 when the salon jury rejected a landscape painting by Walter
Leistikow. Consequently, 65 artists banded together under leadership of Leistikow and Max
Liebermann and seceded from the Verein. Other famous Berliner Secession members in-
cluded Lovis Corinth, Max Slevogt, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Max Beckmann and Käthe
Kollwitz.
