BERLIN.- Art enthusiasts and scholars gathered at the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin’s Kulturforum on Thursday evening for the launch of a groundbreaking new book, Niederländische und französische Malerei 1400-1480 (Netherlandish and French Paintings 1400-1480). The event, hosted by the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, celebrated the release of the first comprehensive scholarly catalogue dedicated to the museum’s world-renowned collection of early Dutch and French paintings.

The book, published by Michael Imhof-Verlag, dives deep into a transformative era of European art, spotlighting the pioneering artists who reshaped painting in the 15th century. Edited by Katrin Dyballa of the Bucerius Kunst Forum in Hamburg and Stephan Kemperdick of the Gemäldegalerie, the 606-page catalogue covers 69 individual works across 52 entries. Priced at €99, it’s available in both German (ISBN 978-3-7319-1289-7) and English (ISBN 978-3-7319-1319-1), making it accessible to a global audience.

The Gemäldegalerie’s collection, widely regarded as one of the finest of its kind, showcases masterpieces from the likes of Jan van Eyck, Rogier van der Weyden, Jean Fouquet, Albert van Ouwater, and Hugo van der Goes. Highlights include van Eyck’s Kirchenmadonna, van der Weyden’s Miraflores-Altar, and Fouquet’s Stiftertafel des Etienne Chevalier. The catalogue draws on years of art-historical and technical research, offering fresh insights into both celebrated works and lesser-known treasures.

The evening kicked off with warm remarks from Dagmar Hirschfelder, Director of the Gemäldegalerie, alongside Bart Brosius, General Delegate of Flanders, Liesbet Vandebroek, Director of Visit Flanders, and Martin Hoernes, General Secretary of the Ernst von Siemens Art Foundation. Their speeches underscored the international collaboration behind the project, which was supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and a printing grant from the Ernst von Siemens Art Foundation.

A lively panel discussion followed, featuring prominent art historians like Till-Holger Borchert from Aachen’s Suermondt-Ludwig-Museum, Emma Capron and Christine Seidel from London’s National Gallery, and Jochen Sander from Frankfurt’s Städel Museum, among others. The experts explored standout pieces from the collection, sharing stories and discoveries that brought the artworks to life. Afterward, guests mingled over drinks at a reception hosted by the Representation of Flanders in Germany and Visit Flanders.

The book’s release marks a milestone for the Gemäldegalerie, cementing its role as a leading hub for the study of early European art. With its detailed entries and rich illustrations, the catalogue promises to be an essential resource for anyone captivated by the creative revolution that swept across Flanders and beyond in the 1400s.
For those eager to attend future events at the Kulturforum, accreditation details are available through the museum’s press office at presse@smb.spk-berlin.de. The Gemäldegalerie is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Johanna und Eduard Arnhold Platz in Berlin.