Exhibition: Kurfürst Johann Wilhelms Bilder, The Elector Johann Wilhelm’s paintings in the Alte Pinakothek, Munich

Alte Pinakothek

Exhibition: Kurfürst Johann Wilhelms Bilder, The Elector Johann Wilhelm’s paintings in the Alte Pinakothek, Munich
5 February–17 May 2009

Alte Pinakothek
Barer Strasse 27
D-80799 Munich
Germany

From the museum website, 4 February 2009
The art collection of Johann Wilhelm of the Palatinate (1658-1716), who became Elector of the state in 1690 but chose to hold court in Düsseldorf, was recognised as far back as the 18th century as one of the most significant in Europe. This treasure of the art-loving elector from the House of Wittelsbach was successively relocated to Munich betweeen 1799 and 1806, and is today considered to be one of the highlights of the Alte Pinakothek. This relates, among other things, to the majority of the Rubens collection as well as to Rembrandt’s Passion Cycle, Raphael’s Holy Family from the House of Canigiani or to the more than twenty precious works by the Düsseldorf-based court painter Adriaen van der Werff.
Now, for the first time in 300 years, the full range of this highly famous Düsseldorf collection of Dutch, Flemish and Italian Baroque paintings will go on show at the Alte Pinakothek, thus offering a sensual and fascinating panorama of collecting and representation in Baroque times. At the same time, the exhibition examines a central period in the history of collection by the Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen.
The elaborate reconstruction of the two cabinets of paintings belonging to the Elector Johann Wilhelm forms the extraordinary centrepiece of the exhibition, which is only possible in Munich on such a comprehensive scale. The seamless wall-to-wall hangings of more than 200 mostly not shown, small-format pictures of Netherlandish fine painting provides a unique opportunity to experience Johann Wilhelm’s abundant collection of masterpieces in its original setting and to extend the modern way of viewing art to a surprising perspective.

http://www.pinakothek.de/alte-pinakothek/