National gallerie, filled with really boring German realist painting
Spent Thursday morning in the National Galerie. Filled with hundreds of German realist paintings mostly from the 18th and 19th centuries. NOT my cup of tea! Then took a long subway ride and 25 minute walk to the Brucke Museum a lovely small museum that promised a small permanent collection of German expressionist painting. These were all in storage so they could exhibit a retrospective of a painter who wanted to be Ludwig Kirtchner but wasn’t. Not the most productive day but did have a nice walk in the suburbs. Very nice neighborhood filled with large beautiful homes and the weather was gorgeous!
Saturday was my reward for yesterday. I discovered the Gemaldegallerie near Potsdamer Platz. Along the way was some public art .
Keith Haring near Potsdamer Platz
Saw Boticellies, Wanderwidens, Bellinis, Caravagio (above) and many more masterpieces all in merciful quiet! The whole place was nearly empty. Everyone seemed to be over at Museum island. What a reward after yesterday. A fitting last day in Berlin.
Final thoughts on Berlin. It’s a city of magnificent public spaces, crowded with people and things to do. Personal space seems to be tight but there are so many gorgeous public spaces. The exact opposite of home. We have big houses but all the public spaces and roads and public transport are a mess. No money for public art, subways, roads, etc…. Public buildings here are architectural celebrations of their activities. They really go in for monumental here.
Sunday was spent on the train from Berlin to Kobenhavn. I haven’t been there since 1977. Arrived around nine and after a few questions found the train to my BandB. Met at the front door by my host Uffe who kindly carried my bag up to the forth floor. He and his girlfriend Tine welcomed me and gave me a map of town and suggestions of where to find things. Everyone I spoke to asking directions spoke flawless English . Their grammar is better than mine. the apartment is gorgeous with high ceilings and big windows. More floor space that the places I stayed in Berlin . Very comfortable bed.
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