The ancient Greek art collection at the Altes Museum, Berlin, Part 1

Wow, wow, wow! I knew I was starved for art, having lived for the past 2 years in Denver, but I didn’t realize just how starved.

Being is Berlin is a gift! It’s my first trip to Germany and although I had always known that there were great collections of art here, it didn’t hit me until I visited this museum early in my visit.

As I admired the cutting of the marble to form strands of hair and folds in drapery, I rejoiced. Sounds dramatic, right? But, I promise you, its true.

In Berlin I marveled even more at the history of these objects I was lucky enough to witness. Not only had they survived sine the 6th century BC, but think of the 20th century history of them. Is it not a triple miracle, at least? They were created, miracle one. They survived from the Greek world in the period of BC, miracle 2. Their saviors successfully kept them safe through the turbulence of WWI and WWII. Miracle 3 for sure.

Such a gift to see these masterworks in person. In the round. The dawn of Western culture.

As I gazed at the so-called “Berlin Goddess,” I was entertained to watch the young girl you see with the headphones at the back left. She was delightful. She had her own strategy for enjoying the art of this gallery and while it was quite different from mine, I loved watching her zig zag quickly through the sculptures and taking whatever she wanted/could from each of them.

But then, I was left alone to admire the “Berlin goddess.” Wow. It was worth the trip just for this moment.

Isn’t she lovely?

I alway love statues of recumbent lions. This ancient one seemed less ferocious and more domesticated. I paused to admire the way the sculptor achieved the patterns with his hammer and chisels.

And then I encountered Athena from around 400 B.C. It speaks through the ages and tells us of Athens.

Next, the head of Dionysus. Simply beautiful.

I needed another month in Berlin to appreciate the incredible collection of Greek red figure pottery. Each vase or dish conveys so much information about what animated Greek life at the time it was created.

But the marble always calls me back. Look at this form and that draperies that reveal rather than obscure it. The goddess of love, indeed.

Relief sculpture is a favorite of mine. The format will reach its crescendo with Donatello and Michelangelo, but the Greek forerunners are impressive to say the least. Study the shallow relief that conveys the overlapping horses and their legs. Imagine carving that.

The so-called “Berlin Athlete.”

Torso of a dancer. A Roman era copy in marble of a Greek bronze original. Contemplate those words. Think what they tell us.

And then look at how beautiful the carving is. Coincidentally, think of the 20th century fashion and textiles of Fortuny in Venice. Then tell me ancient artworks are boring! I defy you.