Munich is the home of some of the best art galleries outside of Italy. You can choose between the Alte Pinakothek, for renaissance and gothic art, Neue Pinakothek for contemporary art and Pinakothek der Moderne for modern art. During our visit the Neue Pinakothek was closed for renovations so many of their top Impressionist and Post Impressionist paintings were relocated so we got to see the best of the old and new.
The galleries were a short walk from our hotel on a warm Sunday morning. To our surprise the cost of admission on Sundays is only €1. It was an excellent spot to enjoy the masters of both Italian and Northern Renaissance art, as well as a good display of gothic paintings, including Giotto. It was fun to indulge our love of art with tourists and locals alike.
So in no particular order, and with many left behind, here are our Top 5 paintings at the Alte Pinakothek.
- Albrecht Druer, Self Portrait, 1500
Favoured son of Nuremburg, Druer is as well known today as his many Italian counterparts during the Renaissance. This self portrait contains his distinctive signature. The second painting of The Four Apostles (1526) are like the wings of an altarpiece. The symbolism and range of human emotions was reminiscent of the Northern artists of the time.
- Peter Paul Rubens, The Last Great Judgement, 1617
Rubens was one of the greats of the Northern Renaissance. His looming, gigantic paintings was commissioned for the Jesuit church. The painting depicts Jesus and his Mother Mary, with the blessed on the left ascending to heaven and the damned on right descending to hell. Also from Rubens is The Fall of the Rebel Angels, 1621/22 which, as part of the Counter – Reformation, shows Archangel Saint Micheal against the heretics.
- Leonardo DaVinci, Madonna of the Carnation, 1476
This is one of DaVinci’s earliest panel paintings, probably completed while still in his teacher’s workshop. It was painted in oil as DaVinci experimented with this medium. The painting was originally owned by the Medici’s of Florence.
- Claude Monet, Waterlilies, 1915
Since the more modern pieces were available to view I wanted to include some of my favourite Impressionists. The serene painting of waterlilies by Monet, one of many on this same subject, is a welcome change from the complexity of the Renaissance works.
- Vincent Van Gogh, Sunflowers, 1888
Van Gogh is said to have painted eleven different sunflowers, only a few of which still exist in public collections today. This is the third version painted around 1888 with the blue green background and his name signed on the vase. I like its crisp colours and vibrant blooms. The two other paintings are also Van Gogh but I did not get the names, rather just wanted to enjoy them together.