Munich has many great art galleries to explore, but the most famous and significant of them all is the Alte Pinakothek.
Translating to “Old Art Gallery,” the Alte Pinakothek is Munich’s place to view European paintings from the 14th through the 18th centuries. The big names are well-represented (Leonardo da Vinci, Rubens, Rembrandt, etc.) and the museum boasts particular strength in German painting.
While there are thousands of priceless paintings in the museum’s collection, there are a few standouts that you absolutely must see.
Keep reading to find out 10 of the unmissable paintings in the Alte Pinakothek!
Table of Contents
History of the Alte Pinakothek
The history of the Alte Pinakothek extends centuries before the museum opened its doors in 1836.
The foundation of the Alte Pinkothek as early as the sixteenth century, when Duke Wilhelm IV (reigned 1508 – 1550) began collecting paintings. An inventory from later the same century shows that the Dukes of Bavaria owned nearly 800 paintings.
Bavaria’s rulers continued to add to the collection over the next few centuries. The last great Wittelsbach contributor was King Ludwig I in the 19th century.
It was under Ludwig’s command that Leo von Klenze built one of the first and finest galleries in Europe. Though the building was damaged during World War II and later restored, the paintings survived.
1. Self-portrait at twenty-eight
Artist: Albrecht Dürer
Year: 1500
About: Nuremberg native Albrecht Dürer was THE artist of the German Renaissance. Famous for his prints and engravings (the oft reproduced “Praying Hands” is one of his works), he also created watercolors, portraits, and books.
Dürer’s Self-portrait at twenty-eight was the last of his three painted self-portraits. It is unusual in that it depicts the artist in a fully frontal pose – one that was usually reserved for religious art. The curled brown hair, hand raised in a gesture of blessing, direct gaze, and initials “AD” – which could stand for “Albrecht Dürer” or “Anno Domini,” the year of the Lord – all serve to make this one of Dürer’s most compelling paintings.
2. The Battle of Issus
Artist: Albrecht Altdorfer
Year: 1529
About: Duke Wilhelm IV commissioned a series of historical to decorate his Munich Residenz. Among them was The Battle of Issus, making this piece, arguably, one of the foundational pieces of the museum’s collection.
The painting depicts the Battle of Issus, where Alexander the Great won a stunning victory over the Persians in 333 BC. Regarded as Altdorfer’s masterpiece, it is one of the most outstanding examples of Renaissance landscape painting.
3. The Lane of Cockaigne
Artist: Pieter Bruegel the Elder
Year: 1567
About: Cockaigne was a land of plenty according to medieval mythology, a place where no one wanted for anything.
Here Bruegel doesn’t depict Cockaigne as a land of delight. Instead, he warns the viewer against the deadly sins of sloth and gluttony, which lead to laziness and apathy.
4. Madonna of the Carnation
Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
Year: 1473 or 1478-1480
About: Here the Renaissance’s greatest artist makes use of the sfumato technique, a blurring technique of which he was a master. The Virgin Mary’s figure forms a triangular shape and at center she holds a carnation for which the baby Jesus is reaching, foreshadowing his passion and death.
Once thought to be the work of another artist, the Madonna of the Carnation is now believed by art historians to be an early work of da Vinci’s, painted when he was still an apprentice.
5. The Canigiani Holy Family
Artist: Raphael
Year: c. 1507 – 1508
About: As the title might imply, this painting by Italian Renaissance artist Raphael was created for the Canigiani family, to be used for their home altar. The Canigiani family hailed from Florence and were in banking. One of their members was a supporter of Raphael and other artists.
Once again making use of the triangle composition popular in art, it shows baby Jesus, the Virgin Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist, and Elizabeth.
6. Madame de Pompadour
Artist: François Boucher
Year: 1756
About: Madame de Pompadour was one of the chief mistresses of King Louis XV of France. Cultured, intelligent, and beautiful, she was a great patron of the arts. She favored and promoted the Rococo style of art. Among her protégés was François Boucher, the most renowned painter of the 18th century.
Boucher painted or sketched Madame de Pompadour several times. This portrait in the Alte Pinakothek is perhaps the most famous.
7. Rubens and Isabella Brant in the Honeysuckle Bower
Artist: Peter Paul Rubens
Year: 1609
About: A few paintings by Rubens are in the Alte Pinakothek. My personal favorite is this tender portrait of Rubens and his first wife.
Several elements in the painting point to the marriage, including the honeysuckle (a symbol of married love since medieval times), the couple’s joint hands, and the setting within the Garden of Love. The portrait was likely a gift for Isabella’s parents.
8. Portrait of Charles V
Artist: Titian
Year: 1548
About: A member of the mighty Hapsburg dynasty, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V ruled vast territories, from Spain to the Low Countries (modern-day Netherlands and Belgium) to Germany to Italy – and with the conquest of the New World, parts of central and south America. His reign saw the rise of Protestantism in his realms.
Charles commissioned this portrait while staying in Augsburg (nowadays a 40-minute train ride from Munich). It depicts the aging emperor, afflicted by gout and with the burdens of his office etched on his face, just a few years before he abdicated the throne to live the rest of his life in a monastery.
9. Still life with partridge and gauntlets
Artist: Jacopo de’ Barbari
Year: 1504
About: Jacopo de’ Barbari worked in Germany, the first major Italian artist to be active in Northern Europe. He was in contact with other artists of the day, including Albrecht Dürer.
The context of this painting, which depicts a dead bird, a couple of iron gauntlets, and a crossbow bolt, is uncertain. What is more certain is that it is one of the earliest European still life paintings and the first known trompe l’oeil paintings since ancient times.
10. Portrait of Albert V of Bavaria
Artist: Hans Mielich
Year: 1545
About: The handsome young man depicted here is Duke Albert V of Bavaria, who reigned from 1550 to 1579. He played an important role in the religious conflicts of the 16th century by being a passionate supporter of the Counter-Reformation, securing Bavaria for the Catholic side. Catholic influence can still be felt today.
In addition to this portrait, Albert had the artist, Hans Mielich, make an inventory of the jewels owned by the ducal couple. The book is still extant today and contains over 100 of the artist’s drawings.
How to visit the Alte Pinakothek
Location and how to get there
The Alte Pinakothek is located at Barer Str. 27, 80333.
Tram #27 is the closest method of public transportation to the museum.
The nearest U-bahn (subway) stops are Theresienstraße or Königsplatz, both on the U2 or U8 lines.
If you fancy walking, it’s an easy 25-minute walk from Marienplatz.
Opening times
Tuesday & Wednesday: 10:00am – 8:00pm
Thursday to Sunday: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Monday: Closed
Museum may be open (even if they fall on a Monday) or closed (even if they fall on another day of the week) on certain holidays. Be sure to check the website for more details.
Ticket prices
€9 regular ticket*
€6 reduced fare (including for seniors 65 and over)*
Free for those under 18
*€1 on Sundays
Other
Bags, backpacks, and large coats are not allowed, but they have lockers and a cloak room where you can deposit your items.
If you choose to take advantage of the €1 entrance fee on a Sunday, be aware that the museum is more crowded.
Looking for more great paintings in Munich? Don’t forget to check out the 10 Best Paintings in Munich!
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