Gemäldegalerie

Gemäldegalerie review

The Picture Gallery's first-rate early European collection features a healthy selection of the biggest names in Western art. Although many fine Italian, Spanish and English works are on display, the highlights are the Dutch and Flemish pieces. Fans of Rembrandt can indulge themselves with around 20 paintings, the best of which include a portrait of preacher and merchant Cornelis Claesz Anslo and his wife, and an electric Samson confronting his father-in-law.

Two of Franz Hals' finest works are here - the wild, fluid, almost impressionistic Malle Babbe ('Mad Babette') and the detailed portrait of the one-year-old Catharina Hooft and her nurse. Other highlights include a couple of unflinching portraits by Robert Campin (early 15th century), a version of Botticelli's Venus Rising, and Corregio's brilliant Leda with the Swan. Look out, too, for a pair of Lucas Cranach Venus and Cupid paintings and his Fountain of Youth. Pick up the excellent (free) English-language audio guide.