Iconic Berlin
Iconic Berlin
Friends Berlin Art Galleries and Collections Study Tour
Iconic Berlin
Iconic Berlin
Friends Berlin Art Galleries and Collections Study Tour
A group of Friends recently went on tour to Berlin, a city that takes art and cultural history seriously.
With our excellent tour guide, Berliner Tim Schmutzler, we visited some of the major galleries; the outstanding Pergamon and Egyptian Museum and the Alte Nationalgalerie on Museum Island, the ‘Old Masters’ at the Gemäldegalerie and the wonderful collection of early twentieth century German art at the Neue Nationalgalerie.
The programme included visits to the Reichstag and the haunting and reflective Jüdisches Museum Berlin together with special guided tours of surrealist art at the Scharf-Gerstenberg Collection and the Kathe Kollowitz Museum.
Getting the cultural vibe, we travelled to Potsdam on the S-Bahn and U-Bahn to see the Cecilienhof Palace where the Allies met in 1945 to plan the postwar peace and the glorious baroque Sansoucci Palace. We walked across the Glienicke Bridge, the true spy exchange bridge (Bridge of Spies).
New member Wendy Burton said: ‘We saw so much and yet only scratched the surface of what this city has to offer. I am still digesting it but I think there are two particular highlights. First, the Ishtar Gate; although I had seen pictures of it, the actual Gate still impresses. Second, the work of Kathe Kollwitz. I had seen little of her work previously and was moved by many of the items we saw, especially her Mother with Dead Son sculpture.’
For David and Cathy Willars there was a pleasant surprise, ‘We both greatly enjoyed the trip and appreciated the diversity of locations visited. The architecture and exhibits of the Jewish Museum were memorable. Notable high spots were a poignant 'carpet' of flat cast iron heads; and a dramatic display of statutes recording increasingly punitive restrictions on Jewish rights. The astonishing range of art at the Gemäldegalerie is notable; it was a surprise and delight to see a painting by Joseph Wright of Derby!’
Irene and Peter Toft were very impressed by the amazing range of museums and galleries, both in their architecture and art content. 'Among the many highlights was the Pergamon Panorama which was so atmospheric, the Architectural Treasures of Uzbekistan from Alexander the Great to the Kushan Empire private tour and the trip to Potsdam, which was particularly enlightening about the ending of WW2 in Europe.'
It was Tim Schmutzler’s first time as our guide. Not only was he friendly and entertaining, member’s felt Tim provided a fascinating insight into the political and cultural evolution of post 1990 Berlin which undoubtedly enhanced our appreciation and understanding of the city.
Lastly, Rosie Bull, our new Overseas Study Tours Organiser, talking about the success of the FoW tours, went on to say, ‘our two previous organisers Mike Tierney and Stuart Halsall are a hard act to follow. They have led Friends to lots of interesting places and helped our understanding of Art in the wider world. I look forward to encouraging both old and new members to join us on future trips.' She continued, 'Look out for details of the autumn Milan tour soon to be sent out.'
A group of Friends recently went on tour to Berlin, a city that takes art and cultural history seriously.
With our excellent tour guide, Berliner Tim Schmutzler, we visited some of the major galleries; the outstanding Pergamon and Egyptian Museum and the Alte Nationalgalerie on Museum Island, the ‘Old Masters’ at the Gemäldegalerie and the wonderful collection of early twentieth century German art at the Neue Nationalgalerie.
The programme included visits to the Reichstag and the haunting and reflective Jüdisches Museum Berlin together with special guided tours of surrealist art at the Scharf-Gerstenberg Collection and the Kathe Kollowitz Museum.
Getting the cultural vibe, we travelled to Potsdam on the S-Bahn and U-Bahn to see the Cecilienhof Palace where the Allies met in 1945 to plan the postwar peace and the glorious baroque Sansoucci Palace. We walked across the Glienicke Bridge, the true spy exchange bridge (Bridge of Spies).
New member Wendy Burton said: ‘We saw so much and yet only scratched the surface of what this city has to offer. I am still digesting it but I think there are two particular highlights. First, the Ishtar Gate; although I had seen pictures of it, the actual Gate still impresses. Second, the work of Kathe Kollwitz. I had seen little of her work previously and was moved by many of the items we saw, especially her Mother with Dead Son sculpture.’
For David and Cathy Willars there was a pleasant surprise, ‘We both greatly enjoyed the trip and appreciated the diversity of locations visited. The architecture and exhibits of the Jewish Museum were memorable. Notable high spots were a poignant 'carpet' of flat cast iron heads; and a dramatic display of statutes recording increasingly punitive restrictions on Jewish rights. The astonishing range of art at the Gemäldegalerie is notable; it was a surprise and delight to see a painting by Joseph Wright of Derby!’
Irene and Peter Toft were very impressed by the amazing range of museums and galleries, both in their architecture and art content. 'Among the many highlights was the Pergamon Panorama which was so atmospheric, the Architectural Treasures of Uzbekistan from Alexander the Great to the Kushan Empire private tour and the trip to Potsdam, which was particularly enlightening about the ending of WW2 in Europe.'
It was Tim Schmutzler’s first time as our guide. Not only was he friendly and entertaining, member’s felt Tim provided a fascinating insight into the political and cultural evolution of post 1990 Berlin which undoubtedly enhanced our appreciation and understanding of the city.
Lastly, Rosie Bull, our new Overseas Study Tours Organiser, talking about the success of the FoW tours, went on to say, ‘our two previous organisers Mike Tierney and Stuart Halsall are a hard act to follow. They have led Friends to lots of interesting places and helped our understanding of Art in the wider world. I look forward to encouraging both old and new members to join us on future trips.' She continued, 'Look out for details of the autumn Milan tour soon to be sent out.'
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