This altarpiece—made for the Medici palace chapel—depicts both a biblical scene, that of the Nativity (the moments immediately following the birth of Jesus Christ), as well as an inspiration to pious prayer.
Location City: Berlin
Greek gods battle Giants for supremacy of the universe, so deeply carved that they almost step out into our world.
The Pergamon Altar
What initially might seem like random images is actually Hannah Höch’s comment on Weimar Germany’s culture and politics.
Hannah Höch, Cut with the Kitchen Knife ...
A family drama —Caracalla assassinates his brother and damns his memory.
The Severan Tondo: damnatio memoriae in ancient ...
This Cold War icon was much more than just a barrier between East and West.
The Berlin Wall as a political symbol
This building was a symbol of a repressive regime, but the German government's vote to tear it down sparked years of protests.
Negotiating the past in Berlin: the Palast ...
A leader in modern technology hired a “self-taught architect” with no engineering skills to design their factory.
Peter Behrens, Turbine Factory
Tiye was a powerful figure, but her royal life was complicated, as demonstrated through this changing statue.
Portrait Head of Queen Tiye
Found in an artist’s studio, this stunning bust exemplifies a change in style, and may have been an early prototype.
Thutmose, Model Bust of Queen Nefertiti
Upon becoming pharaoh, Akhenaten revolutionized the religion and artistic style of Egypt—at least until his death.
House Altar depicting Akhenaten, Nefertiti and Three ...
One of the great myths of jealousy and revenge is carved into this sarcophagus. But why put this story on a coffin?
Medea Sarcophagus
An ancient, gnarled tree, not the shepherd at its base, is the protagonist of Friedrich’s landscape.
Caspar David Friedrich, Solitary Tree (or Lone ...
The woman in this painting invites us to share the view out her shuttered window, but leaves us to wonder about her thoughts.
Caspar David Friedrich, Woman at a Window
In this complicated image, Hals investigates madness. The rapidity of his brushwork heightens the viewer’s unease.
Frans Hals, Malle Babbe
“Everything is illusory and death comes for us all!” proclaims this cheerful self-portrait.
Arnold Böcklin, Self-Portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle
A medieval abbey in ruins, within an ancient forest that predates—and will outlast—man’s creations.
Caspar David Friedrich, Abbey in the Oak Forest
Discover the drama of this split second in time, as a centaur flights big cats for his life.
Pair of Centaurs Fighting Cats of Prey ...
Tiles of pie? Spilt porridge? You have to laugh. For all its morality, this painting makes light of human foible.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, The Dutch Proverbs
The greenery surrounding this couple is lush and exotic, but it’s clear that there’s trouble in paradise.
Édouard Manet, In the Conservatory
This gorgeous painting is rich in color—and with possibility. Can the woman stay sober? Will the man succeed?
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