Staatliche Antikensammlungen: A Journey Through Ancient Art

The Staatliche Antikensammlungen, or State Collections of Antiquities, stands as a testament to Bavaria's enduring fascination with the ancient world. Housed in a neoclassical building on Königsplatz, the museum displays a rich collection of artifacts from Greece, Etruria, and Rome. The museum's history dates back to the Wittelsbach dynasty, particularly King Ludwig I, who passionately collected Greek and Roman art. His vision was to create a collection of exceptional quality that could stand apart from the larger museums in Rome, Paris, and London. The building itself, completed in 1848, was designed by Georg Friedrich Ziebland as a counterpart to the Glyptothek, mirroring its classical architectural style. Though severely damaged during World War II, the museum was meticulously restored and reopened in 1967. Today, the Staatliche Antikensammlungen invites visitors to explore a diverse range of ancient art, including Greek vases, Etruscan gold jewelry, and small sculptures in bronze and terracotta. Masterpieces such as the Dionysus cup by Exekias and the Belly Amphora by the Andokides Painter highlight the collection's significance. The museum also features glassware and other examples of ancient craftsmanship. The collection is based on the Wittelsbach antique collections, especially King Ludwig I's collection of vases. In 1831, his agent Martin von Wagner acquired pottery from the archeological excavation in Vulci, and his agent Friedrich Thiersch purchased antiques from the estate of Lucien Bonaparte. The king also acquired antique gold jewellery from the collection of Caroline Murat, Etruscan bronzes excavated in Perugia and Greek terracotta work from South Italy. Donations from Paul Arndt, James Loeb, and Hans von Schoen further enriched the museum's holdings.