Arnold Bocklin
Mythological scenes in dark, dreamlike moods.
Maximilian Dörrbecker (Chumwa) — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Franz Ludwig Catel — Public domain · Joseph Anton Koch — Public domain · Johann Georg von Dillis — Public domain
The Schack Collection is a small, quiet museum of nineteenth-century German painting, and among the least crowded in Munich despite its quality — it rarely appears on visitor itineraries while the neighbouring Pinakotheks fill up. The whole collection belonged to one man: Count Adolf Friedrich von Schack, a wealthy writer and translator who assembled the paintings to a strict personal taste in the nineteenth century, supporting contemporary artists through regular purchases. He bought not what was fashionable but what he liked, and the result is a coherent collection reflecting one person's vision rather than a market. The prevailing manner is Romantic and Symbolist: work by Arnold Böcklin, Moritz von Schwind, Anselm Feuerbach and Carl Spitzweg — mythological and natural scenes and fables, in dark colours and dreamlike atmospheres. The museum is small and its ticket very cheap, making it the ideal choice for anyone weary of crowded major museums.
Mythological scenes in dark, dreamlike moods.
Munich's least crowded museum despite its quality.
Prinzregentenstrasse 9, 80538 Munich
Bavarian National MuseumThe Bavarian National Museum shows applied art and the history of craft in Bavar3 minutes walk4.5
Archaeological State CollectionThe Bavarian Archaeological State Collection sits at the southern tip of the Eng3 minutes walk4.5
Angel of PeaceThe Angel of Peace is a gilded winged statue on a tall column above the river Is3 minutes walk4.7
The Eisbach WaveIn the middle of Munich, on a small watercourse at the entrance to the English G5 minutes walk4.9
Museum Villa StuckFranz von Stuck, a miller's son from Lower Bavaria, rose to become one of Munich6 minutes walk4.5Because Munich holds the three Pinakotheks, the Deutsches Museum and Nymphenburg Palace — all far larger and better known, and they consume an ordinary visitor's days. The Schack Collection specialises in one period and one manner that do not draw a broad audience, but that is precisely what keeps it quiet. If you have a third or fourth day in Munich, it is among the best uses of it.