Floor plan

Time and placeGermany

Germany

Equestrian Portrait of the Emperor Maximilian, by Hans Burgkmair, 1508
The image shows a residential area with barren trees, rooftops of houses, and people walking along fences. The trees sway in the wind, their branches extending in various directions. The scene is depicted in a monochromatic black and white style, with expressive lines creating a sense of movement and a sketch-like quality. The horizon is high, showing rooftops and the sun above it.
The image shows a man's head and part of his neck in profile view. The man is looking to the left, showcasing his facial features. He has a prominent nose, cheekbones, dark hair with hints of gray at the sides, and a white beard under his chin. He is wearing a gray collar that is partially visible. The background is a plain, muted brown color. There are no objects or jewelry visible in the image.
Christ Crowned with Thorns, by Martin Schongauer, 1470–82
This print features a detailed scene. In the center is a classical-style pavilion with arched openings and a domed roof adorned with intricate designs. A group of mostly-nude people is gathered around the pavilion, with one on horseback, holding a spear, and another holding a flag. In front of the pavilion, a knight on horseback appears to be falling into a dark hole in the ground. Vegetation, including trees and shrubs, is scattered throughout the landscape, and birds are seen flying in the sky above the pavilion. The horizon shows hills leading to a distant castle on a rocky formation on the right.

The works in this room are listed below.

Works in this room

Works made in Germany, from every century in the collection.

Section 1, north wall

  1. Equestrian Portrait of the Emperor Maximilian, by Hans Burgkmair, 1508
    Equestrian Portrait of the Emperor MaximilianHans Burgkmair, 1508Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. The image shows a residential area with barren trees, rooftops of houses, and people walking along fences. The trees sway in the wind, their branches extending in various directions. The scene is depicted in a monochromatic black and white style, with expressive lines creating a sense of movement and a sketch-like quality. The horizon is high, showing rooftops and the sun above it.
    LandscapeTheo von BrockhusenCourtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image shows a man's head and part of his neck in profile view. The man is looking to the left, showcasing his facial features. He has a prominent nose, cheekbones, dark hair with hints of gray at the sides, and a white beard under his chin. He is wearing a gray collar that is partially visible. The background is a plain, muted brown color. There are no objects or jewelry visible in the image.
    Profile of a Man with SidewhiskersUnrecorded German maker, c. 1850Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 1, south wall

  1. Christ Crowned with Thorns, by Martin Schongauer, 1470–82
    Christ Crowned with ThornsMartin Schongauer, 1470–82Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. This print features a detailed scene. In the center is a classical-style pavilion with arched openings and a domed roof adorned with intricate designs. A group of mostly-nude people is gathered around the pavilion, with one on horseback, holding a spear, and another holding a flag. In front of the pavilion, a knight on horseback appears to be falling into a dark hole in the ground. Vegetation, including trees and shrubs, is scattered throughout the landscape, and birds are seen flying in the sky above the pavilion. The horizon shows hills leading to a distant castle on a rocky formation on the right.
    Marcus Curtius Plunging into the ChasmLucas Cranach the ElderCourtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 2, south wall

  1. A work made of etching on ivory wove paper.
    Child with RosebudPhillip Otto Runge, n.d.Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. The image shows a pattern of vertical and horizontal wooden bars forming a grid-like design. In the center, there is a rectangular panel with a decorative emblem against a red background. The emblem features swirling shapes. The structured wooden grid and ornate emblem suggest a vintage heraldic shield or coat of arms.
    Margarethe Vöhlin [reverse]Bernhard Strigel, 1527Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image features four figures depicted upright from head to toe, each with a halo. The person on the far left has short, curly hair, wearing a decorated robe and holding a book, gesturing with the other hand. Next to him, the second figure also has short, curly hair and wears a striped robe, holding a staff. The third person has short hair under a blue and white cap, in a striped robe, holding a book while gesturing. The fourth figure has curly hair under a pointed cap, wearing a robe with blue and red detailing, holding a book with one hand raised. The background is a parchment-like surface with decorative red lining at the border.
    Saints Cyprian, Vitus, Stephan, and CorneliusUnrecorded German maker, third quarter 12th centuryCourtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 2, north wall

  1. A work made of woodcut in black on tan laid paper.
    The Circumcision of Christ, from The Life of the VirginAlbrecht Dürer, c. 1505, published 1511Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. Shown from the waist up, a light-skinned woman sits angled slightly to our right in this vertical portrait painting. The woman has blue eyes, faint brows, and a sloping nose ending in a small bulb. Her upper lip is thin and her lower lip full over a slight double chin. Her blond hair is pulled back under a gold, cap-like headdress and a black, wide-brimmed hat with a shallow crown. She wears a high-necked white, black, and gold dress with intricate detailing, a gold chain necklace that falls to her waist, and a black belt with a gold clasp and medallions. She wears two gold rings set with gems on the pointer finger of her left hand, which is folded across her belly over the other hand. A scarlet-red wallcovering with pink floral designs fills two-thirds of the space behind her. The rightmost third of the background opens onto a landscape with a tall, spindly tree, a leaping animal, presumably a dog, and a bridge across a body of water leading to a town. Across another body of water, perhaps a lake, mountains are marine blue in the distance under a clear, celestial-blue sky.
    Margarethe Vöhlin [obverse]Bernhard Strigel, 1527Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The image depicts a landscape scene from an elevated point of view. The horizon shows distant mountains with smoke rising from the tallest peak. Linear brushstrokes create detailed textures of the rocky landscape, clouds, and birds in the sky. The color palette is monochromatic with earthy tones. Figures are shown engaging in activities near a river, surrounded by trees, rocks, and meadows. Hills lead to mountainous formations on the far horizon, under a cloudy sky with a flock of birds.
    Mountainous Riverscape with FiguresGeorg EisenmannCourtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 3, north wall

  1. The image features a celestial scene with multiple figures depicted from head to waist. Two central figures are engaged in a conversation amidst clouds. One figure appears seated, possibly on a throne, holding a book. Both figures have long hair and beards. The robes worn by the figures are detailed. Other figures surround them in a semi-circle, some wearing crowns, holding items like bowls. Heavenly hosts with wings are seen above. The background shows a detailed landscape with trees, a river, and castles nestled in hills.
    Saint John before God and the EldersAlbrecht Dürer, probably c. 1496/1498Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. Four women with musical instruments lounge in a massive garden courtyard.
    The Interior of the Palm House on the Pfaueninsel Near PotsdamCarl Blechen, 1834Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Section 3, south wall

  1. The image features a landscape view of a medieval village scene. It includes a stone bridge over a river, buildings, a church with a tower, trees, hills, mountains, and cloudy sky. The image is depicted in intricate detail using a monochromatic palette, focusing on contrasts of light and shadow.
    Mountainous Landscape with a VillageHanns Lautensack, 1553Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The image shows a person lying down, positioned on their side, resting on a pillow. The individual appears to be asleep, with closed eyes, slightly parted lips, and a relaxed facial expression. The person has light-colored hair, partially covered by a white nightcap, and is dressed in white nightwear with a ruffled collar. They are covered by a white blanket and their hand is partially visible near the face, with fingers interlaced. The background features a wooden headboard or furniture piece.
    An Infant Asleep in His CribAdolph Menzel, 1848Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. Landscape with a Double Spruce, by Albrecht Altdorfer, ca. 1521–22
    Landscape with a Double SpruceAlbrecht Altdorfer, ca. 1521–22Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art