Neue Nationalgalerie

The Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin is a renowned museum for modern art, with a primary focus on the early 20th century. It is part of the National Gallery of the Berlin State Museums. The museum, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, opened in 1968 and is celebrated for its unique architecture. The building is divided into two stories, with the upper story serving as an entrance hall and the primary special exhibit gallery. The lower story houses the gallery's permanent collection, a library, offices, and a shop and café. The museum's collection features masterpieces from artists like Pablo Picasso, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Joan Miró, Wassily Kandinsky, and Barnett Newman. The museum closed in 2015 for renovation by David Chipperfield Architects and reopened in 2021 with an exhibition of works by American sculptor Alexander Calder. The Neue Nationalgalerie's terrace and sculpture garden are home to large-scale pieces of sculpture from the 20th century. The museum's aesthetic importance lies in its open plan, which eliminates the barrier between art and community, inviting interaction between viewer and art. Despite some criticism for its logistical downsides, the Neue Nationalgalerie remains a significant symbol of modern art and architecture in Berlin.