2017 AP Art History Hunting in Germany

I set out to try to see two images from the AP Art History curriculum: Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and three daughters & the Pergamon Altar. I didn’t get to see the Altar because of renovation work 🙁 but I unexpectedly stumbled on a LOT more pieces than I expected. 🙂 So I’d say I was on the winning side this time!

Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and three daughters

Where: Neues Museum, Berlin
Content Area: #2 Ancient Mediterranean

I was sad to say that this incredibly monumental piece is kind of shoved off in a little alcove ignored by all rush to see Nefertiti’s Bust in the next room. Although, Nefertiti is quite gorgeous I feel the imagery and historical context of this piece deserves a little more love and attention.

Y no hai Remedio (And There’s Nothing to Be Done)

Where: German History Museum, Berlin (multiple copies)
Content Area: #4 Later Europe and Americas

This piece was totally unexpected! By this point in the museum I was so overwhelmed I was no longer reading everything or going into every exhibit but, I kid you not, this alcove was drawing me in for no reason and I am so happy I decided to walk by!

Read more: Art through Time: A Global View

In Memoriam Karl Liebknecht

Where: German History Museum, Berlin (multiple copies)
Content Area: #4 Later Europe & Americas

Similar to the Goya, I happened to stumble upon a copy of Käthe Kollwitz’s In Memoriam Karl Liebknecht in the German History Museum. In retrospect, I should have totally anticipated that. There is a Käthe Kollwitz museum in Berlin which probably has an original print but we didn’t go because it was not included on the Museum Pass and we had higher things on the “must do” list.

(preliminary drawing for) Henri IV Receives the Portrait of of Marie de’Medici, from the Marie de’Medici Cycle

Where: Alte Pinakothek, Munich
Content Area: #3 Early Europe & Americas

This was a great surprise because I got to see preparatory paintings for many of the future work of the Medici Cycle. Although they are much, much smaller in scale and no way match the fabulous grandeur of the finished product, it was cool to see Ruben’s prep work.

Pergamon Altar

Where: Pergamon Museum, Berlin
Content Area: #2 Ancient Mediterranean

Although this section of the museum was utterly shut off from tourists for renovations, I highly suggest this museum! As a bonus, it gives me a very good reason to come back when the construction is done in 2025.

Read more: Top 8 Berlin Museums

Code of Hammurabi & Lamassu from the citadel of Sargon II

Where: Pergamon Museum, Berlin
Content Area: #2 Ancient Mediterranean

Although both recreations, it was still cool to stand by replicas of the Code of Hammurabi and an Ancient Near East lamassu. I can still use these photos in my PowerPoints next year to demonstrate scale and I certainly have a much better understanding of these pieces after seeing these versions in person.

Read more: Ancient Near East Posts

JMF

P.S. They also had little exhibits on Muybridge’s Horse in Motion and Daumier’s Nadar Raising Photography to the Height of Art in the photography and film section of the German Museum of Technology.