Blick auf Rembrandts Familienbild in der Gemäldegalerie
Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum, Claus Cordes

Old Masters collection

Our Collection of Old Masters is one of the most important of its kind in Germany and offers visitors the opportunity to explore the history of European painting of the highest quality – from the Middle Ages to 1800. Our rich collection of Dutch and Flemish masters from the ‘Golden Age’ is particularly famous. Works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Rubens, Giorgione, Palma Vecchio, Veronese, Rigaud, Boucher and Adam Elsheimer have attracted art lovers from around the world to our Museum.

Blick in die Gemäldegalerie
Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum, Claus Cordes

The painting gallery was created by Duke Anton Ulrich of Brunswick during the Baroque period and his personal taste is still in evidence.

Medieval Paintings

The medieval altarpieces from the 14th and 15th centuries are exhibited in Dankwarderode Castle as part of the medieval collection. The altarpieces are mainly of North German and Lower Saxon origin, but also include an outstanding diptych from the atelier of Geertgen tot Sint Jans.

Niccolo di Pietro Gerini (Werkstatt), Madonna mit Kind umgeben von Engeln, um 1385-90

© Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum

Florentine Painting

In 1838 ten Florentine devotional images from the late 14th and 15th centuries were acquired from the Brunswick painter Carlo Bäse. These precious devotional pictures on gold ground evoke the luminous aura of medieval church interiors. A tournament scene hints at the transition to post-medieval secular panel painting.

Lucas Cranach d.Ä., Herkules bei Omphale, 1537

© Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum

Old German Painting

The Old German department of our museum is dominated by Lucas Cranach and his atelier. Familiar pictorial themes such as “Adam and Eve”, “Venus” and portraits can be seen alongside large-scale history paintings. Works by Hans Holbein, Christoph Amberger and above all the Brunswick painter Ludger Tom Ring complement the collection.

Braunschweiger Monogrammist (Jan van Amstel?), Das Gleichnis vom Großen Gastmahl, um 1535

© Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum

Netherlandish Painting of the 16th Century

At the center of our “Early Netherlandish” section is the “Large Banquet”. As the monogram on this work is indecipherable, the painter is referred to as the “Brunswick Monogrammist”. He was a direct precursor of Pieter Bruegel the Elder. This fact has assured him a lasting and important role in the history of art. A self-portrait by Lucas van Leyden is another highlight of this collection.

Peter Paul Rubens, Judith mit dem Haupt des Holofernes, um 1616/18

© Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum

Flemish Painting of the 17th Century

Flemish Baroque painting is represented with an unusually large number of high-quality works. The major master painters such as Rubens, Van Dyck, Cornelis de Vos, David Teniers II and works from the Frans Francken workshop are each represented with several works. Josse de Momper’s “Four Seasons” series and Rubens’ sensual “Judith” are among the main highlights.

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, Familienbild, um 1665-1668

© Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum

Dutch Painting of the 17th and 18th Century

Duke Anton Ulrich already bought his paintings mainly in Amsterdam, which was the leading art market at that time. Dutch works are therefore a focal point of the collection – not just because of their sheer number, but above all because of their exquisite quality. Among Rembrandt’s five works, his late “Family Portrait” is the most important. Its international renown is rivalled only by Jan Vermeer’s “Girl with a wine glass”.

Adam Elsheimer, Morgenlandschaft (Aurora), um 1608/10 [derzeit nicht ausgestellt]

© Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum

German Painting of the 17th and 18th Century

As one of the leading German Baroque collections we offer a vast overview of this period. Dutch, Italian and French influences combine to form a polyphonic concert of different styles. Adam Elsheimer’s morning landscape “Aurora”, which was already praised by Goethe, is among the milestones of European landscape painting.

Giorgio da Castelfranco, gen. Giorgione, Selbstbildnis als David, um 1508/10

© Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum

Italian Painting from the 16th to the 18th Century

Works from Venice and Rome, from the Renaissance to the Baroque, are the focal point of our Italian collection. Duke Anton Ulrich’s numerous sojourns in Venice brought about the foundation of a collection of the main masters of the Venetian school. Among these works is the famous self-portrait of the mysterious Giorgio da Castelfranco, better known as Giorgione.

Nicolas de Largillière, Bildnis des Grafen Konrad Detlef von Dehn, 1724

© Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum

French Painting of the 17th and 18th Century

Duke Anton Ulrich and officials at the Brunswick court had themselves portrayed by the French court painters Rigaud and Largillerre as French courtly culture was regarded as its leading model. A little later, the charming works by François Boucher and Jean-Baptiste Greuze were created. They reflect the ‘galant’ attitude towards life among the French aristocracy of the 18th century.

Contact and image requests

Dr. Silke Gatenbröcker

Head of Painting Gallery

Email s.gatenbroecker@3landesmuseen.de
Phone +49 531 1225 - 2405
Fax +49 531 1225 - 2408

Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum
Museumstr. 1
38100 Braunschweig

Fotoanfragen

Image requests

Email bildarchiv.haum@3landesmuseen.de
Phone +49 531 1225 - 2401
Fax +49 531 1225 - 2408

Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum
Museumstr. 1
38100 Braunschweig