The magnificent building, erected by master builder Johann Gottfried Büring between 1755 and 1763/64, is the oldest surviving gallery building in Germany. The Picture Gallery is located east of Sanssouci Palace and forms the counterpart to the New Chambers to the west. Frederick the Great used the Picture Gallery to display his art collection, which comprised 180 masterpieces of Flemish and Dutch Baroque painting, as well as Italian Renaissance and Baroque works. Antique sculptures were also exhibited, as were 18th-century French sculptures.
During World War II, in 1942, all the artworks were moved to Rheinsberg Palace, from where only ten were returned to the Gemäldegalerie in 1946. Many paintings were lost or confiscated by the Soviet Union. It wasn't until 1958 that a large number of the paintings returned to Germany. Some remain in Russian collections to this day.
The exterior of the picture gallery is simple, but the interior surprises with its magnificent design: gilded ornaments on walls and ceilings, as well as precious floors made of yellow and white marble from Herculaneum.
Even today, 140 top-class paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries can be seen. Among them is Caravaggio's work entitled "Doubting Thomas," five works by Anton van Dyck, seven works by Peter Paul Rubens, including "Saint Jerome," and various other well-known artists.
During World War II, in 1942, all the artworks were moved to Rheinsberg Palace, from where only ten were returned to the Gemäldegalerie in 1946. Many paintings were lost or confiscated by the Soviet Union. It wasn't until 1958 that a large number of the paintings returned to Germany. Some remain in Russian collections to this day.
The exterior of the picture gallery is simple, but the interior surprises with its magnificent design: gilded ornaments on walls and ceilings, as well as precious floors made of yellow and white marble from Herculaneum.
Even today, 140 top-class paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries can be seen. Among them is Caravaggio's work entitled "Doubting Thomas," five works by Anton van Dyck, seven works by Peter Paul Rubens, including "Saint Jerome," and various other well-known artists.
