The Kupferstichkabinett, or Museum of Prints and Drawings, is a prints museum in Berlin, Germany. It is part of the Berlin State Museums, and is located in the Kulturforum on Potsdamer Platz. The museum houses more than 500,000 prints and around 110,000 individual works on paper (drawings, pastels, watercolours, oil sketches). It is the largest museum of graphic art in Germany, and one of the four most important in the world....
Discover the Kupferstichkabinett, Germany's Largest Museum of Graphic Art
The Kupferstichkabinett, or Museum of Prints and Drawings, is a prints museum in Berlin, Germany. It is part of the Berlin State Museums, and is located in the Kulturforum on Potsdamer Platz. The museum houses more than 500,000 prints and around 110,000 individual works on paper (drawings, pastels, watercolours, oil sketches). It is the largest museum of graphic art in Germany, and one of the four most important in the world.
History of Kupferstichkabinett
The Kupferstichkabinett was founded in 1820 as part of the Royal Library. It was originally intended to serve as a collection of prints and drawings for study and research purposes. In 1871, the museum became part of the Berlin State Museums, and its collections were significantly expanded through acquisitions and donations. During World War II, the museum's building was destroyed, and many of its works were lost or damaged. However, the museum was able to recover and rebuild after the war, and it has continued to grow and expand ever since.
Collections
The Kupferstichkabinett's collections span over 1000 years of art, culture, and media history. They include European and American drawings and prints from the Middle Ages to the present, as well as illuminated manuscripts, books with original prints, portfolio works, sketchbooks, topographical views, and printing plates. The museum's collections are particularly strong in German, French, and Italian art, but they also include works from other countries and regions.
Highlights of the Collection
The Kupferstichkabinett's collection includes many masterpieces by famous artists such as Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt van Rijn, and Pablo Picasso. Some of the highlights of the collection include:
- The Feast of the Rosary by Albrecht Dürer, a woodcut from 1506.
- The Three Crosses by Rembrandt van Rijn, an etching from 1653.
- Guernica by Pablo Picasso, a lithograph from 1937.
The museum also has a large collection of works by German artists such as Adolph Menzel, Max Liebermann, and Käthe Kollwitz. Some of the highlights of the German collection include:
- Unmade Bed by Adolph Menzel, a pencil drawing from 1846.
- The Seated Woman by Max Liebermann, a charcoal drawing from 1902.
- The Widow II by Käthe Kollwitz, a lithograph from 1923.
Visiting the Museum
The Kupferstichkabinett is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Admission is free for all visitors. The museum offers guided tours, workshops, and other educational programs for both adults and children. It also has a library and a study room where researchers can access the museum's collections and resources.
Conclusion
The Kupferstichkabinett is a must-see destination for anyone interested in graphic art and printmaking. Its vast collections, spanning over 1000 years of art history, offer a unique opportunity to explore the development of drawing and printmaking techniques and to discover the works of some of the greatest artists of all time. Whether you are a researcher, an artist, or simply a lover of art, the Kupferstichkabinett has something for everyone.
References
Kupferstichkabinett Berlin - WikipediaKupferstichkabinett | Home - Staatliche Museen zu BerlinKupferstich-Kabinett: Kupferstich-KabinettMuseumsportal Berlin - Museum – Kupferstichkabinett