04.09.2014
to
26.04.2015
Gemäldegalerie
The Ghent Altarpiece, painted by the Van Eyck brothers and completed in 1432, is one of the masterpieces of early Netherlandish painting. It is also a work with an eventful history. In 1821 the wings of the altarpiece were acquired for Berlin as part of the Solly Collection. In 1920, however, they were ceded as reparations to Belgium by the German Reich under the Treaty of Versailles. In the central hall of the Gemäldegalerie, the Ghent Altarpiece has now been reconstructed to its original size from 16th and 17th century copies and from photographs taken of the wings when they were housed here. Alongside, the work’s centuries of chequered history are also retraced. In addition, there is a documentary with pictorial records of important stages in the recognition of the work’s importance and its presentation to the public in Berlin: the excitement of the early researchers into early Netherlandish painting, the various ways in which the work was exhibited and the sometimes drastic restoration measures to which it was submitted.
As part of the programme for the commemorative year, "1914. Aufbruch. Weltbruch”, the exhibition also addresses the reason why the Treaty of Versailles demanded the wings of the altarpiece as reparation: the massive war damage suffered by Belgium.
A publication accompanying the exhibition will explore these various aspects in more depth and trace the eventful history of the Ghent Altarpiece through the many wars, from the 16th to the 20th century, which influenced its fate.
Organizer
Venue
Address / Getting there
Visitor entrance
Johanna und Eduard Arnhold Platz (ehem. Matthäikirchplatz)
10785 Berlin
wheelchair accessible
U-Bahn: Potsdamer Platz
S-Bahn: Potsdamer Platz
Bus: Potsdamer Brücke, Potsdamer Platz Bhf / Voßstraße, Kulturforum, Philharmonie
Opening hours
Sun 10:00 - 18:00
Mon closed
Tue 10:00 - 18:00
Wed 10:00 - 18:00
Thu 10:00 - 18:00
Fri 10:00 - 18:00
Sat 10:00 - 18:00
Prices / Tickets
Old Master Paintings Paintings from the 13th to 18th century
12,00 EUR Concessions 6,00
Paintings from the 13th to 18th century
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all exhibitions
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32,00 EUR Concessions 16,00
3 days for permanent exhibitions
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from just 25,00 EUR
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