The most famous artists with works in the Alte Pinakothek are Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Albrecht Dürer and Raphael.
Below, the 25 best-known of the 160 artists with works of the Alte Pinakothek in our catalogue (341 works), each with what the museum holds of them.
The masters of the originals
The 10 masters whose originals hang in the Alte Pinakothek
For each master: where and when they were born, their movement, how many originals the museum keeps in our catalogue, a note from their life, and the originals to see.
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High Renaissance
1. Leonardo da Vinci 1452–1519
1452–1519 Born in Anchiano, Italy High Renaissance 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Leonardo da Vinci was born on 15 April 1452 near the Tuscan hill town of Vinci. At the age of fourteen, Leonardo da Vinci entered the workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio. This period of service was not a single continuous stretch, as he returned to Milan between 1508 and 1513. Leonardo da Vinci’s later years were defined by a shift in geography that mirrored his restless intellectual movement.
Originals at the Alte Pinakothek
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Baroque
2. Rembrandt 1606–1669
1606–1669 Born in Leiden, Netherlands Baroque 13 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Born on 15 July 1606 in Leiden, in the Dutch Republic, Rembrandt van Rijn entered a world of modest means. By the time he died on 4 October 1669, he had left behind a vast legacy that includes about 300 paintings, 300 etchings, and several hundred drawings. By 1625, the young artist had moved beyond his apprenticeship and opened a studio in Leiden. A significant shift occurred in 1631 when he moved to Amsterdam.
Originals at the Alte Pinakothek
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Northern Renaissance
3. Albrecht Dürer 1471–1528
1471–1528 Born in Nuremberg, Germany Northern Renaissance 24 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
While his father might have envisioned a life spent working with precious metals, the boy possessed a different kind of hunger. Even as a child, his talent was evident, appearing in early works such as a silverpoint self-portrait from about 1484. In the bustling streets of Nuremberg, the boy Albrecht was shaped by the steady, disciplined rhythm of his father's workshop.
Originals at the Alte Pinakothek
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High Renaissance
4. Raphael 1483–1520
1483–1520 Born in Urbino, Italy High Renaissance 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Upon his arrival in Florence in 1504, the young painter entered a city defined by the presence of giants. Between 1504 and 1507, he produced a series of Madonnas that demonstrated a growing mastery of composition and emotional clarity. Following the death of Donato Bramante in 1514, he was appointed architect in charge of St. Peter's, a position that reflected the immense trust placed in his ability to organize and execute complex, large-scale projects.
Originals at the Alte Pinakothek
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Proto-Renaissance
5. Giotto 1267–1337
1267–1337 Born in Vicchio, Italy Proto-Renaissance 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
While his full name carries the weight of his lineage, he was often known simply as Giotto. Born in Florence, Italy, he was the son of a blacksmith named Bondone. By the end of the thirteenth century, Giotto’s presence moved beyond the Florentine sphere. Between 1297 and 1300, he worked in Rome, a period that saw him engaging with the monumental scale of the city's religious centers.
Originals at the Alte Pinakothek
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Baroque
6. Peter Paul Rubens 1577–1640
1577–1640 Born in Siegen, Germany Baroque 21 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Born on 28 June 1577 in Siegen, Germany, his early years were shaped by the religious instability of the era. By the time he began working with Otto van Veen between 1594 and 1598, Rubens had already acquired the technical vocabulary necessary to move beyond simple representation into the realm of sophisticated narrative art. In 1600, Rubens left the Low Countries for Italy, a move that fundamentally altered his visual language.
Originals at the Alte Pinakothek
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High Renaissance
7. Titian 1490–1576
1490–1576 Born in Pieve di Cadore, Italy High Renaissance 8 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
In the rugged, mountainous reaches of Pieve di Cadore, a boy named Tiziano Vecellio began a life that would eventually reshape the very language of oil on canvas. Born around 1490, he was the son of Gregorio Vecellio, a man of the military, and a woman named Lucia.
Originals at the Alte Pinakothek
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Baroque
8. Nicolas Poussin 1594–1665
1594–1665 Born in Le Havre, France Baroque 4 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Born in June 1594, his early development was not a product of sudden inspiration but of structured, methodical training. By 1612, Nicolas Poussin had moved to Paris, where he remained until 1623. Poussin arrived in Rome in 1624, having traveled via Venice.
Originals at the Alte Pinakothek
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Mannerism
9. Jacopo Tintoretto 1519–1594
1519–1594 Born in Venice, Italy Mannerism 5 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Born Jacopo Robusti around 1518 in Venice, Italy, the man who would become known as Jacopo Tintoretto was shaped by the industrious atmosphere of his home. While he did experience a brief apprenticeship in the workshop of Titian, the experience was more a period of friction than a traditional education.
Originals at the Alte Pinakothek
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Northern Renaissance
10. Pieter Brueghel the Elder 1525–1569
1525–1569 Born in Breda, Netherlands Northern Renaissance 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
He was born in or near Breda, likely within the Duchy of Brabant, sometime between 1525 and 1530. By the time he completed his apprenticeship around 1550, the young man had gained the skill necessary to claim his own place among the professionals. Between 1551 and 1552, he was admitted as a free master into the Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp.
Originals at the Alte Pinakothek
The masters, continued
No. 11 to No. 25: more masters of the Alte Pinakothek
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11. Fra Angelico
Early Renaissance
1395–1455 · born in Vicchio, Italy · 6 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Italian Renaissance Dominican friar known for luminous frescoes and serene religious narratives painted with manuscript illumination precision.
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12. Rogier van der Weyden
Early Netherlandish
1400–1464 · born in Tournai, Belgium · 12 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
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13. Frans Hals
Dutch Golden Age
1580–1666 · born in Antwerp, Belgium · 3 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Dutch Golden Age painter of lively portraits and group scenes, known for a loose, spontaneous brushwork that captures fleeting expressions.
- Willem Croes (1662)
- Willem van Heythuyzen (1625)
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14. Claude Lorrain
Baroque
1600–1682 · born in Chamagne, France · 3 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Baroque landscape painter of luminous sunlight and idealized scenes of classical antiquity, often featuring Roman ruins and tranquil harbors.
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15. Anthony van Dyck
Baroque
1599–1641 · born in Antwerp, Belgium · 7 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Flemish Baroque portraitist who defined the English court with effortless grace, capturing the dignity of royalty through refined oil and etching.
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16. Domenico Ghirlandaio
Early Renaissance
1448–1494 · born in Florence, Italy · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Florentine Renaissance painter known for realistic frescoes that blend sacred biblical narratives with portraits of contemporary society.
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17. Lucas Cranach the Elder
Northern Renaissance
1472–1553 · born in Kronach, Germany · 9 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
German Renaissance painter of elegant, elongated figures and authoritative portraits of reformers, known for his precise woodcuts and engravings.
- Venus and Cupid (1540)
- Adam and Eve (1510)
- The Golden Age (1530)
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18. Pietro Perugino
High Renaissance
1448–1523 · born in Città della Pieve, Italy · 3 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Umbrian school painter of serene Marian scenes, using luminous colors and graceful balance to capture spiritual grace and human emotion.
- The Vision of St Bernard (1493)
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French Rococo painter of luminous, pastel mythological scenes and idyllic landscapes, known for his voluptuous and amorous subjects.
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20. Filippo Lippi
Early Renaissance
1406–1469 · born in Florence, Italy · 4 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Florentine Renaissance painter of lyrical Madonnas and graceful compositions, known for blending religious piety with humanistic realism.
- Annunciation (1443)
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21. Hans Memling
Early Netherlandish
1435–1494 · born in Seligenstadt, Germany · 6 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Early Netherlandish painter of detailed religious triptychs and portraits set against serene landscapes with sculptural oil modeling.
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22. Matthias Grünewald
Northern Renaissance
1480–1528 · born in Würzburg, Germany · 8 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
German Renaissance painter of visceral religious scenes, known for the raw, expressive agony of the Isenheim Altarpiece and vivid colors.
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23. Albrecht Altdorfer
Northern Renaissance
1480–1538 · born in Regensburg, Germany · 5 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
German Renaissance pioneer of the Danube School, known for expressive landscapes and dramatic battle scenes set against vast, swirling skies.
- The Battle of Alexander at Issus (1529)
- The Battle of Alexander (1529)
- Danubian Landscape (1520)
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24. Jacob Jordaens
Baroque
1593–1678 · born in Antwerp, Belgium · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Flemish Baroque painter of boisterous tavern scenes and robust realism, known for expressive brushwork and crowded, lively banquets.
- Satyr at the Peasant's House (1620)
- Satyr and Peasant (1620)
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25. Gerard van Honthorst
Baroque
1592–1656 · born in Utrecht, Netherlands · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Dutch Caravaggist known for dramatic night scenes and tavern gatherings illuminated by the flickering glow of a single candle.
- The Prodigal Son (1622)
- Merry Company (1622)
Famous artists in the Alte Pinakothek, No. 26 to 50
Jan Gossaert1478–1532 · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Stefan Lochner1410–1451 · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Jan van Goyen1596–1656 · 3 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Frans Snyders1579–1657 · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Adriaen Brouwer1605–1638 · 3 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Michael Pacher1435–1498 · 7 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Emanuel de Witte1617–1692 · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Gerrit Dou1613–1675 · 6 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Ferdinand Bol1616–1680 · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Valentin de Boulogne1591–1632 · 3 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem1620–1683 · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Hans the Elder Holbein1497–1543 · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Adriaen van der Werff1659–1722 · 3 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Adam Elsheimer1578–1610 · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Dirck van Baburen1595–1624 · 3 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Hans Burgkmair the Elder1473–1531 · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Frans van Mieris the Elder1635–1681 · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Jan Weenix1642–1719 · 3 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Michiel Coxie1499–1592 · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Dieric Bouts the Younger1415–1475 · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Hendrick ter Brugghen1588–1629 · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Aert de Gelder1645–1645 · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Bernhard Strigel1460–1528 · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Christoph Amberger1505–1562 · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Hans Wertinger1465–1533 · 2 originals at the Alte Pinakothek
The house in figures
The masters of the Alte Pinakothek, in figures
The masters with the most originals at the Alte Pinakothek
Masters with two originals or more, by century of birth
Masters with two originals or more, by country of birth
Masters with two originals or more, by movement
Asked of us
Questions on the masters of the Alte Pinakothek
Open a question to read the answer.
Who is the best-known artist of the Alte Pinakothek?
Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519): our catalogue holds 2 works by Leonardo da Vinci at the Alte Pinakothek, among them The Madonna of the Carnation. Rembrandt and Albrecht Dürer follow.
Which Leonardo da Vinci works are in the Alte Pinakothek?
Our catalogue lists 2 works by Leonardo da Vinci at the Alte Pinakothek, among them The Madonna of the Carnation (1478).
How many Rembrandt paintings are in the Alte Pinakothek?
Our catalogue lists 13 works by Rembrandt at the Alte Pinakothek, among them Christ Resurected (1661), Crucifixion (1633), The Resurrection (1635) and The Ascension (1636).
What did Albrecht Dürer paint that hangs in the Alte Pinakothek?
Our catalogue lists 24 works by Albrecht Dürer at the Alte Pinakothek, among them The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin (1496), Self-Portrait in a Fur-Collared Robe (1500), Sylvan Men with Heraldic Shields (1499) and Paumgartner Altar (1503).
Which ten artists should I look for in the Alte Pinakothek?
The ten best-known artists with works in the Alte Pinakothek are Leonardo da Vinci (2), Rembrandt (13), Albrecht Dürer (24), Raphael (2), Giotto (2), Peter Paul Rubens (21), Titian (8), Nicolas Poussin (4), Jacopo Tintoretto (5) and Pieter Brueghel the Elder (2).
Which artist has the most works in the Alte Pinakothek?
Our catalogue holds 24 works by Albrecht Dürer at the Alte Pinakothek; next come Peter Paul Rubens (21), Rembrandt (13) and Rogier van der Weyden (12).
Are there Pablo Picasso works in the Alte Pinakothek?
Our catalogue lists no work by Pablo Picasso at the Alte Pinakothek.
Is Michelangelo in the Alte Pinakothek?
Our catalogue lists no work by Michelangelo at the Alte Pinakothek.
Where do the artists of the Alte Pinakothek come from?
By country of birth, the artists with two works or more at the Alte Pinakothek are mostly from Netherlands (16), Germany (13), Italy (11), France (8) and Belgium (8).
From which period are the artists of the Alte Pinakothek?
Most of the artists with two works or more at the Alte Pinakothek were born in the 15th century (20 artists); the earliest in this ranking is Giotto (1267–1337), the latest François Boucher (1703–1770).
How many artists have works in the Alte Pinakothek?
160 artists have at least one work of the Alte Pinakothek in our catalogue; 57 have two or more. They were born between 1267 and 1981, in 6 countries.
How is this ranking of artists made?
By recognition — Wikipedia articles in the most languages, page visits and our manual ranking — over the artists with two works or more of the Alte Pinakothek in our catalogue. One entry per work; details, studies and copies are left out.
The house
The Alte Pinakothek, Munich, in a few lines
The History of Alte Pinakothek
The Alte Pinakothek is located in Munich, Germany. It is one of the oldest galleries in existence, holding a collection that spans from the fourteenth to the eighteenth centuries. The institution was commissioned by King Ludwig I of Bavaria in 1826. Following its construction, the building opened to the public on 16 October 1836. The museum functions as a central component of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Its origins are tied to the Wittelsbach family, whose art acquisitions formed the core of the holdings. The collection includes significant works from the Northern Renaissance and the Baroque era, such as: the Mocking of Christ, 1503 - Matthias Grünewald the Battle of Alexander at Issus, 1529 - Albrecht Altdorfer the Lion Hunt, 1621 - Peter Paul Rubens Peasants Fighting, 1631 - Adriaen Brouwer The institution has maintained its purpose through significant historical shifts.
The Neoclassical Architecture and Design
Commissioned by King Ludwig I, the building was designed by Leo von Klenze. Construction of the structure took place between 1826 and 1836. The design rejects the cluttered ornamentation of the Gothic Revival style, favoring Neoclassical clarity instead. This architectural choice establishes a sense of permanence through thick masonry walls, which measure one meter in thickness. These walls are faced with yellow, polished brick. The scale of the building is substantial. It stretches 150 meters in length and reaches heights of 25 meters. The width of the structure is 50 meters. Inside, the architecture is defined by the integration of skylights. These skylights flood the galleries with natural illumination, allowing the paintings to be viewed under conditions that honor their original textures and colors.
The famous originals of the Alte PinakothekThe Alte Pinakothek: the full page, 370 originalsThe museums of Munich
How the masters of the originals are ranked
The masters with two originals or more of the Alte Pinakothek in our catalogue are ranked by fame: the Wikipedia language editions that describe them, the visits to their OriginalUniqueArt.com page and our studio's ranking. Originals are counted in our catalogue — one entry per work, without details, studies or copies — not in the museum's inventory. Every date, birthplace and movement is the catalogue's; the notes are drawn from the master's biography.
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