Alte and Neue Pinakothek Munich

The Alte and the Neue Pinakothek in Munich rank among the great galleries of the world. Their comprehensive collections trace the development of art across history: from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the rise of Romanticism, Realism and Impressionism, all the way up to the birth of Modernism. The Neoclassical design of the Alte Pinakothek by Leo von Klenze (1836) had a seminal influence on museum architecture in Europe. It provides a wonderful setting for the works of the Old Masters housed within. After the second museum building (completed in 1853) was destroyed during the Second World War, the architect Alexander von Branca created today's Neue Pinakothek (1981). Its formal expression, in the idiom of a medieval fortress, and impressive exhibition galleries have made it a classic of Postmodernism. In this book, the author offers a refreshingly personal perspective on an eclectic selection of memorable works.