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The life-size double statue of the princesses Luise and Friederike of Prussia, the so-called princess group, is the main work of Johann Gottfried Schadow (1764-1850). The sculptor is considered the founder of the Berlin School of Sculpture, and it was this work that made him the epitome of German classicism. As the first statue of two female historical figures, the sculpture group made art history and is still a highlight for visitors to Berlin from all over the world. The first retrospective in around 30 years presents Schadow’s main sculptural, graphic and art-theoretical works in eleven chapters. After extensive restoration, the original plaster model (1795) of the princess group will be exhibited together with the original marble model (1797) for the first time ever.

The Nationalgalerie’s collection contains around 150 works, making it the world’s most comprehensive collection of sculptural works by Schadow, including both originals of the Princess Group. Since the last retro-spective almost 30 years ago, whose point of departure was the Alte Nationalgalerie, many new insights have been gained into the artist, his work, his workshop and his working methods. This is not least due to the large-scale research and restoration project of the plaster original of the princess group from Schadow’s workshop, the results of which are now being presented publicly for the first time.

Numerous international loans, including sculptures, paintings and graphic works as well as art theoretical writings, offer insights into the creation and reception of the princess group. Works by Schadow’s contemporaries such as Gainsborough, Tischbein, Weitsch, Chodowiecki and Begas will be on display.

The exhibition is curated by Yvette Deseyve. A German-language and an English-language catalog will be published.

The exhibition is made possible by the Friends of the National Gallery, the Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung, and the Kulturstiftung der Länder. The three-year restoration project of the original plaster model of the princess group was supported by the Hermann Reemtsma Foundation, the Rudolf August Oetker Foundation and the Kulturstiftung der Länder. The Bern University of Applied Sciences and the Bern University of the Arts supported the project as cooperation partners.

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A free audio guide in English and German will be published to accompany the exhibition. Listen here in advance and learn more about some highlights of our exhibition!

Introduction: Dr. Yvette Deseyve, curator of the exhibition, Alte Nationalgalerie

Johann Gottfried Schadow, Double Statue of Princesses Luise and Friederike of Prussia, 1795, plaster, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Alte Nationalgalerie

Thomas Gainsborough, Elizabeth and Mary Linley, c. 1772 (retouched in 1785), oil on canvas, Dulwich Picture Gallery, London

Gerhard Marcks, Little Sisters, 1934, bronze, Frankfurt am Main, Städel Museum

Plan your visit

EXHIBITION VENUE

Alte Nationalgalerie
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Bodestrasse 1-3
10178 Berlin

 

RUN TIME

21 October 2022 – 19 February 2023

www.smb.museum/ang

 

ADMISSION

Regular: 12 Euro
Reduced: 6 Euro

Admission including permanent collection and audio guide

 

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

U-Bahn: Friedrichstraße
S-Bahn: Friedrichstraße, Hackescher Markt
Tram: Am Kupfergraben, Hackescher Markt
Bus: Staatsoper, Lustgarten, Friedrichstraße

The exhibition is partly wheelchair accessible.

OPENING HOURS

Mondays
closed
Tuesdays
10 – 6pm
Wednesdays
10 – 6pm
Thursdays
10 – 6pm
Fridays
10 – 6pm
Saturdays
10 – 6pm
Sundays
10 – 6pm

SPECIAL OPENING HOURS ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
German Unification Day (Sun 03.10.2021) and Christmas (Fri 24. – Sun 26.12.2021) 10 – 6pm
New Year’s Eve (Fri 31.12.2021): closed
New Year’s Day (Sa 01.01.2022): 12 – 6pm

Education and Outreach

Guided tours and workshops

OFFERS FOR ADULTS

Bookable guided tours for groups
Schadow in the Alte Nationalgalerie – Sculptures and Graphic Art
The special exhibition offers a comprehensive overview of the work and impact of the Berlin sculptor Johann Gottfried Schadow. The highlight is the presentation of his famous double statue, the “Princess Group”. An art guide will accompany you on your individual tour. Secure your desired appointment now!
Duration: 60 minutes
German: 90 € plus admission
Foreign language (English): 100 € plus entrance fee.
Limited number of participants. Bookable by phone +49 (0)30 266 42 42 or by e-mail to service@smb.museum.
Please book your tour at least 14 days in advance.

Public tours for individual visitors
Johann Gottfried Schadow – “Father of the Berlin School of Sculpture
Sat and Sun / 2 pm / 10/22, 10/23, 10/29, 10/30, 11/5, 11/12, 11/13, 11/19, 11/20, 11/26, 11/27, 12/3, 12/10, 12/11. 12., 17.12., 18.12., 25.12.2022, 7.1., 8.1., 14.1., 15.1., 21.1., 22.1., 28.1., 29.1., 4.2., 11.2., 12.2., 18.2., 19.2.2023
Johann Gottfried Schadow, known as the “Father of the Berlin School of Sculpture,” played a key role in the development of sculpture in Germany. His main sculptural and graphic works are presented in a tour of the exhibition. Special attention will be paid to the two versions of his famous “princess group” in plaster and marble, which you will view comparatively.
Participation fee including admission: 15 €
Participation fee with valid entrance ticket (annual pass, sponsoring association, ICOM etc.): 10 €
Limited number of participants.
Online booking required: www.smb.museum/veranstaltungen

Public Tours for Individual Visitors
Johann Gottfried Schadow – Berlin Sculptor of 19th century (in Eng-lish)
Sat / 3 pm / 5.11., 3.12.2022, 7.1., 4.2.2023
Discover the famous German sculptor of the “Quadriga” on top of the Brandenburg Gate: Johann Gottfried Schadow. He portrayed many im-portant women and men of the early 19th century. His most beautiful work is probably the “Princess Group”, showing the Princesses Luise and Friederike of Prussia.
Participation fee, including admission: 15 €
Participation fee with valid admission ticket (annual pass, sponsoring association, ICOM, etc.): 10 €.
Limited number of participants.
Online booking required: www.smb.museum/veranstaltungen

From a Curatorial Perspective: Touching Forms – Johann Gottfried Schadow
Tue / 4.30 p.m. / Oct. 25, Nov. 8, Nov. 22, Dec. 6, 2022, Jan. 10, Jan. 24, Feb. 7, 2023
The special exhibition presents the graphic and sculptural work of the Berlin artist Johann Gottfried Schadow. What makes the “Princess Group” a masterpiece? Why is Schadow important to the collection of the Alte Nationalgalerie? Ask your questions to the curators Dr. Yvette Deseyve and Dr. Sintje Guericke. Join the conversation.
Participation fee including admission: 15 €
Participation fee with valid admission ticket (annual pass, sponsoring association, ICOM, etc.): 10 €
Limited number of participants.
Online booking required: www.smb.museum/veranstaltungen

From a Restoration Perspective: Touching Forms – Johann Gottfried Schadow
Tue / 4:30 pm / 11/1, 11/15, 11/29, 12/13/2022, 1/3, 1/17, 1/31,2/14/2023.
The two versions of the “Princess Group” in plaster and marble will be presented for the first time in the special exhibition. What are the conservation requirements for these materials? Come and talk to the conservators Theresa Bräunig and Friederike Labahn.
Participation fee including admission: 15 €
Participation fee with valid admission ticket (annual pass, sponsoring association, ICOM, etc.): 10 €
Limited number of participants.
Online booking required: www.smb.museum/veranstaltungen

Lecture series of the Academy
The Berlin Classicist Johann Gottfried Schadow
Wed / 11 am – 12 pm / 11/9, 11/16, 11/23, 11/30/2022
Johann Gottfried Schadow (1764 – 1850) played a key role in the development of sculpture in Germany. The sculptor, who is also known as the “father of the Berlin school of sculpture”, created famous works such as the Quadriga on the Brandenburg Gate or the Princess Group in the Old National Gallery. Historical sources provide information on Shadov’s life and work. In addition, the comparison with artists working at the same time in Rome, Paris, London and St. Pe-tersburg offers new perspectives on the Berlin artist.
Speaker: Lutz Stöppler
Participation fee: 32 €
Limited number of participants.
Online booking required: www.smb.museum/veranstaltungen

Viewing of works
Participation fee including admission: 15 €
Participation fee with valid admission ticket (annual pass, sponsoring association, ICOM, etc.): 10 €
Limited number of participants.
Online booking required: www.smb.museum/veranstaltungen

INCLUSIVE OFFERS

Exhibition talk for adults with and without visual impairment
Sat / 4 – 6 pm / 12.11. 10.12.2022, 14.1., 11.2.2023
Visitors with and without visual impairment explore the special exhibition “Touching Forms – Johann Gottfried Schadow” with all their senses. Tactile objects and material samples will be used.
Participation fee including admission: 15 €
Participation fee with valid admission ticket (annual pass, sponsoring association, ICOM, etc.): 10 €
Limited number of participants.
Online booking recommended: www.smb.museum/veranstaltungen

Tandem guided tour for deaf and hearing adults in German sign language
Sat / 16 – 17.30 / 19.11., 17.12.2022, 21.1.2023
Deaf and hearing visitors explore the special exhibition together and exchange ideas. The tandem tour is conducted in sign language.
Participation fee including admission: 15 €
Participation fee with valid admission ticket(annual pass, sponsoring association, ICOM, etc.): 10 €
Limited number of participants.
Booking by phone: 030 266 42 42 (Mon – Fri, 9 am – 4 pm) or online booking recommended: www.smb.museum/veranstaltungen

Information for families and schools

OFFERS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Admission to the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin is free for children and young people up to the age of 18.

Exhibition talks for families
Among Friends
Sun / 11 a.m. / Oct. 23, 30, Nov. 13, 20, 27, Dec. 11, 18, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb. 12, 19, 2023
How do you portray friendship? How is intimacy reflected in posture? You will go in search of representations of friendship in the exhibition. The “Princess Group” by Johann Gottfried Schadow plays a special role here.
Participation fee including admission: 10 € per family (2 persons), 15 € per family (3 persons or more).
Limited number of participants.
Online booking required: www.smb.museum/veranstaltungen

Workshop for young people during the autumn holidays
From the idea to the sculpture: People
Tue – Thu / 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. / Nov. 1 – Nov. 3, 2022 (three days)
How does a sculpture come into being? What steps are needed from the first sketch to the three-dimensional realization? How do sculptors depict people? You make sketches, design a model and sculpt your figure out of clay. The sculptures in the Muse-um will give you lots of ideas.
Youths 13 years and older
Participation fee: 36 €
Limited number of participants
Online booking required: www.smb.museum/veranstaltungen

Double pack
Exhibition guide for children and families
Follow in the footsteps of Luise and Friederike as they explore the exhibition. The accompanying booklet encourages you to speculate about friendship, attachment and togetherness.
The exhibition guide will be handed out free of charge at the ticket office.

OFFERS FOR SCHOOLS
Admission to the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin is free for children and young people up to and including the age of 18.

Exhibition talk for pupils
Schadow and friendship
Johann Gottfried Schadow is one of the most important sculptors of the 19th century in Berlin. The students will learn about his main work, the “Prin-cess Group”. What makes the depiction special? What does it reveal about the two women? And why didn’t the king like it?
Class 8 – 13
Duration: 60 minutes
Cost: 30 €
Max. 15 students

Project day for students
From the idea to the sculpture
How does a sculpture come into being? How do you find an idea? Which steps are necessary for the practical realization? The students trace the process from the first sketch, the choice of material to the finished work. Starting points are the sculptures of Johann Gott-fried Schadow, who is also called the “father of the Berlin school of sculpture”. The students try out postures, make sketches, test materials and model figures.
Grades 5 – 13
Duration: 240 minutes
Free of charge
Meeting place: Haus Bastian
Registration required

Advanced training for teachers
Introduction: Johann Gottfried Schadow
Tue / 4 pm / 1.11., 8.11., 15.11.2022
Johann Gottfried Schadow is one of the most important Berlin sculptors of the 19th century. The “Quadriga” and the “Princess Group” are among his most important works. His drawings, however, are also extensive and are also presented in the exhibition. Where does the artist get his ideas? What is special about the princess group? Why is plaster more sensitive than marble? After a tour through the exhibition, the offers for students will be presented.
Participation free of charge
Max. 15 participants
Registration required: www.smb.museum/veranstaltungen

Working Group School and Museum
Thu / 4 – 6 pm / 10.11.2022
The professional exchange of teachers and mediators serves the development of ideas and contents for formats of cultural education in schools and museums. Interdisciplinary impulses and artistic-practical approaches will be presented as a thematic introduction, opening up versatile questions and broadening perspectives of cultural education work. The event on 10.11.2022 is dedicated to the exhibition “Touching Forms. Johann Gottfried Schadow”.
Limited number of participants.
Participation free of charge.
Online booking required:www.smb.museum/veranstaltungen

Covid-19 protective measures

You can find current information under: smb.museum/informationen-corona

Education and Outreach at the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin

The Department of Education, Outreach, and Visitor Services is the central educational institution of the National Museums in Berlin and, as such, is entrusted with the conception and implementation of offerings in all 15 collections. With a wide range of events, the National Museums in Berlin address different user groups: Children and families, young people and adults, day-care centers, schools, universities and other educational institutions, individual visitors and groups of visitors.

The entire education and outreach program of the National Museums in Berlin can be found on the website www.smb.museum

INFORMATION AND BOOKING

Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Education, outreach, and visitor services
Tel +49 (0) 30 266 42 42 42 (Mo-Fr, 9-16 Uhr)
service@smb.museum
www.smb.museum

You can find the complete education and outreach program under www.smb.museum

Catalogue

To be published in October 2022 in English and German, Hirmer Verlag

Ed. Yvette Deseyve for the Nationalgalerie of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin in collaboration with Sintje Guericke
Contributions by T. Bräunig, A. Czarnecki, D. de Chair, Y. Deseyve, F. Göttlich, S. Guericke, R. Hofereiter, S. Kiesant, F. Labahn, A. Seidel, V. Tocha, P. Winter

320 pages, 220 illustrations in color
24 x 29 cm, softcover with flaps
Price of the museum edition: 39,90 €
ISBN: 978-3-7774-4087-3

ORDER HERE

Alte Nationalgalerie

The Alte Nationalgalerie is the main building of the Nationalgalerie, whose collection is today also distributed among the Neue Nationalgalerie, Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart – Berlin, Friedrichswerdersche Kirche, Museum Berggruen and the Scharf-Gerstenberg Collection.

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Partners

The exhibition Johann Gottfried Schadow – Touching Forms at the Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, is made possible by the Freunde der Nationalgalerie and supported by the Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung and the Kulturstiftung der Länder.

MORE INFORMATION
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Exhibition Venue
Alte Nationalgalerie
Bodestraße 1-3
10178 Berlin

Information and Booking
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Education, Outreach, Visitor Services
Tel +49 (0) 30 266 42 42 42 (Mon–Fri, 9 am–4 pm)
service@smb.museum
www.smb.museum