Established in 1882 by Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, the Staatliches Museum Schwerin is a renowned art gallery and museum. When the gallery opened to the public in the late 19th century, it was considered a pioneering piece of modern architecture, with anti-burglary and fire-protection measures installed, together with a state-of-the-art lighting system. It’s particularly noted for its medieval collections that include the Neustädt Al-tarpiece, as well as an impressive collection of 17th-century Dutch and Flemish paintings.
Admire the works of famous masters such as Jan Brueghel the Elder, Paulus Pot-ter and Peter Paul Rubens that hail from the so-called “Golden Age” of Dutch and Flemish painting. The museum also features iconic works by the French animal painter, Oudry, who was commissioned by the Versailles and Marly castles, as well as pieces by Antoine Pesne and Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich who worked in the artistic hubs of Berlin and Dresden during the 18th century.
A glass bridge connects the Staatliches Museum Schwerin’s original 19th-century building with its new gallery, which was opened in 2016 to house more modern works of art. It follows the development of art from the early 20th century through to contemporary work, including artists such as Lovis Corinth, Bern-hard Heisig and Sigmar Polke. Of particular note is the collection of works by German installation artist and sculptor Günther Uecker. If you’re a fan of French-American artist Marcel Duchamp, the Staatliches Museum Schwerin boasts more than 90 works, including the “L.H.O.Q.Q.” - a print of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous “Mona Lisa” with a goatee and mustache drawn on.