Famous Paintings in the Gemäldegalerie: the Originals

1. The Dutch Proverbs by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, 1559
2. A Lady Drinking and a Gentleman and The Glass of Wine by Johannes Vermeer, 1660
3. Portrait of a Young Woman by Petrus Christus, 1470
4. Young Woman with a Pearl Necklace by Johannes Vermeer, 1662
5. The Fountain of Youth by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1546
6. Moses with the Ten Commandments by Rembrandt, 1659
7. The Adoration of the Kings (Monforte Altar) by Hugo van der Goes, 1470
8. Malle Babbe by Frans Hals, 1633

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   Pieter Brueghel the Elder (1525–1569)

   1. The Dutch Proverbs by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, 1559

   Gemäldegalerie, Berlin1559Oil on oak panel117 × 163 cm

   A Reflection of 16th-Century Life: Created during a period of significant social and religious upheaval in the Netherlands, Netherlandish Proverbs offers a glimpse into the anxieties and moral concerns of the time. The painting also reflects the humanist interest in classical literature and folklore, drawing upon established collections like Erasmus’s Adagia. The original title, “The Blue Cloak” or "The Folly of the World," suggests that he aimed to expose human foolishness and vice.

   The originalOriginals by Pieter Brueghel the Elder

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   Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675)

   2. A Lady Drinking and a Gentleman and The Glass of Wine by Johannes Vermeer, 1660

   Gemäldegalerie, Berlin1660Oil on canvas66 × 76 cm

   Painted in 1660, this artwork is a product of the Dutch Golden Age, a period of great cultural and economic prosperity in the Netherlands.

   The originalOriginals by Johannes Vermeer

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   Petrus Christus (1410–1475)

   3. Portrait of a Young Woman by Petrus Christus, 1470

   Gemäldegalerie, Berlin1470Oil on oak panel22 × 29 cm

   This work exemplifies the transition from the heavy symbolism of the Middle Ages to a more humanistic, observational style, where the texture of fabric and the soft glow of skin are rendered with an almost miraculous clarity. To behold this portrait is to appreciate the revolutionary use of oil paint that defined the Flemish Primitives.

   The originalOriginals by Petrus Christus

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   Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675)

   4. Young Woman with a Pearl Necklace by Johannes Vermeer, 1662

   Gemäldegalerie, Berlin1662Oil on canvas45 × 55 cm

   The subject is a young Dutch woman, likely of upper-class descent, captured in a moment of private reflection. Vermeer’s focus remains on the subtle details of this domestic scene. In The Concert, he depicts a man and two women performing together, capturing a fleeting moment of sound and stillness. One might also consider The Girl with a Pearl Earring, which remains one of his most notable works, focusing on the way light catches a single, luminous point. It is held within the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

   The originalOriginals by Johannes Vermeer

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   Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472–1553)

   5. The Fountain of Youth by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1546

   Gemäldegalerie, Berlin1546Oil on lime panel122 × 186 cm

   The dimensions of 186.1 x 120.6 cm allow for an expansive portrayal of this complex scene, maximizing the impact of Cranach's artistic vision. “The Fountain of Youth” was created during a period of immense social and religious change in Germany, directly influenced by the rise of Protestantism. Its acquisition from the Royal Castles’ Collection and subsequent exhibitions across Europe (Berlin 1937, Weimar, Wittenberg 1953, Basel 1974) underscore its historical importance and artistic value.

   The originalOriginals by Lucas Cranach the Elder

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   Rembrandt (1606–1669)

   6. Moses with the Ten Commandments by Rembrandt, 1659

   Gemäldegalerie, Berlin1659Oil on canvas136 × 168 cm

   Yet, this radiance is tempered by the heavy shadows of chiaroscuro, Rembrandt’s signature technique, which wraps the scene in a sense of cosmic weight and intimacy. The composition is anchored by the raw tension held within Moses ' hands.

   The originalOriginals by Rembrandt

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   Hugo van der Goes (1440–1482)

   7. The Adoration of the Kings (Monforte Altar) by Hugo van der Goes, 1470

   Gemäldegalerie, Berlin1470Oil on oak panel147 × 242 cm

   Produced during the height of the Northern Renaissance, this altarpiece reflects the era’s devotion to realism, symbolism, and spiritual storytelling. Likely by Hugo van der Goes, a pioneering Flemish painter, the work showcases innovations in composition and emotional expression that influenced subsequent generations of artists.

   The originalOriginals by Hugo van der Goes

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   Frans Hals (1580–1666)

   8. Malle Babbe by Frans Hals, 1633

   Gemäldegalerie, Berlin1633Oil on canvas66 × 78 cm

   To behold Malle Babbe is to witness the revolutionary technique of Frans Hals at the height of his powers. Integrating a piece as historically significant as Malle Babbe into a contemporary setting requires an eye for balance and storytelling.

   The originalOriginals by Frans Hals

The Gemäldegalerie (or provide a shorter input}, False, Painting Gallery) — museum — in Berlin, Germany. Its collection counts approximately 850 works. Its highlights: Works by Rembrandt van Rijn, Girl with a Pearl Necklace by Vermeer, Paintings by Caravaggio, Works by Raphael and Michelangelo. Our catalogue lists 1,523 of its paintings and works on paper, by 733 artists, dated 1278 to 1975.