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Berlin, Neues Museum: Ceiling of the Ethnographic Hall.
Mythological fresco by Gustav Heidenreich in the "Fatherland Hall" of the New Museum, Berlin, illustrating the Edda. The three Norns stand for the belief in fate. On the left, Urd sits at a well (the stream of time) with the prophesying swans. As the Norn of the past, she inscribes on a shield runes that give information about completed destiny. In the center, Verdandi, the Norn of the present, is spinning the thread of life or destiny. Skuld stands for the future. She waters the ash tree Yggdrasil and thereby cares for the continuation of history. Yggdrasil is the world tree whose roots reach into the underworld and whose branches reach into the heaven of the gods. Various animals live in it. Stags eat its branches, and the dragon Nidhöggr gnaws on its roots. (Museum text)
Scan of a steel engraving of Wilhelm von Kaulbach's Die Hunnenschlacht.
The temple at Karnak. Steel engraving by Albert Henry Payne after Pape.
Memnon Colossi
"Neues Museum" in Berlin-Mitte. The "Griechischer Hof" (Greek courtyard), partial view.
Neues Museum in Berlin-Mitte. “Ägyptischer Hof” (Egyptian courtyard), partial view.
Berliner Goldhut
Young boy from Xanten
Berlin, Neues Museum – stored building components.
Impressed by Bonaparte’s expedition to Egypt, Prussia in turn became increasingly interested in Egyptian civilization. The King of Prussia acquired several private collections. Karl Richard Lepsius organized an expedition to Egypt between 1842 and 1845 and brought back 1,500 objects to Berlin, gifts from Mehmet Ali. The initial collection then grew to such an extent that King Frederick William IV commissioned the architect Stüler, a pupil of F. Schinkel, to build in 1850 a “New Museum,” Neues Museum, intended to house the various collections. The “New Museum,” closed in 1939, suffered heavy damage following the bombing of Berlin in 1944, and its reopening was only effective in October 2009 after a long restoration conducted by the English architect David Chipperfield. The vicissitudes of the Second World War and the Cold War led to a division of the Egyptian collection. Part of the Egyptian collections (including objects from the Amarna excavations) was presented for several years in the West in the Egyptian Museum near Charlottenburg Castle. Russia, which returned to Germany the Egyptian collections taken during the war, nevertheless kept on its soil an important part of the pre- or protohistoric objects, including parts of the Treasure of Priam. The entrance hall of the museum was adorned in 1900 with frescoes representing the different stages of the history of the world by Wilhelm von Kaulbach. At the top of the staircase was a copy of the porch of the Caryatids of the Acropolis of Athens. Museum website: www.neues-museum.de/
West facade of the Neues Museum in Berlin

Neues Museum

Berlin, Germany

The Neues Museum in Berlin brings together art, archaeology, and design in a building that tells its own story. First opened in the 19th century, it was heavily damaged during World War II and stood as a ruin for decades. Today, the museum combines careful restoration with modern architecture, allowing original scars and textures to remain visible alongside new materials. This blend creates a striking backdrop for collections that span thousands of years.

Architecture with Memory

The reconstruction, led by architect David Chipperfield, preserves fragments of painted walls, crumbling brickwork, and historic staircases. New elements—smooth concrete, quiet lighting, and clear sightlines—support the old rather than cover it. Walking through the building feels like moving between time periods, with galleries opening onto light-filled halls and narrow passages revealing layers of history.

Ancient Worlds on Display

The museum is home to the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection, the Museum of Prehistory and Early History, and selected antiquities. Objects range from small amulets and papyrus fragments to large sarcophagi and monumental sculptures. Labels and layouts are designed to help visitors follow the development of writing, religion, craftsmanship, and burial customs across different cultures.

The Bust of Nefertiti

One of the most recognized works is the painted limestone bust of Nefertiti, displayed in a quiet, darkened room that focuses attention on its delicate features and vivid color. The piece, over 3,300 years old, highlights the artistry of the Amarna period and often serves as a gateway to broader discussions about ancient Egypt’s royal court and artistic style.

From Stone Tools to Early Civilizations

Beyond Egypt, the galleries trace human development across Europe and the Near East. Exhibits cover the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages with tools, jewelry, and ritual objects that show changing technologies and social structures. Reconstructions and models offer context for how communities lived, traded, and adapted to their environments.

Connections Across Museumsinsel

The Neues Museum sits on Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site that gathers several major museums along the Spree River. Its collections link to neighboring institutions through shared themes, from classical antiquity to 19th-century art. Together, these museums form a network where objects and stories can be explored across time and place.

Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neues_Museum
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