Surely, the Sammlung Schack holds more than just paintings. It holds the dreams and longings of an era. Graf Adolf Friedrich von Schack was a man of letters from Mecklenburg. He began building a significant collection of contemporary art in Munich in 1857.
Today, the Sammlung Schack is renowned as one of the most important museums. It showcases 19th-century German painting. The collection features about 180 paintings by German artists. You will find well-known works by Arnold Böcklin and Moritz von Schwind. Franz von Lenbach and Hans von Marées are also represented. Anselm Feuerbach’s art is also here.
Graf Schack’s personal touch defines this museum. He was a collector and patron of the arts. He lived from 1815 to 1894. The Sammlung Schack has remained unchanged since his death. It primarily features historical paintings and landscapes. However, it includes few examples of genre painting. Carl Spitzweg is a notable exception.
Schack’s landscapes capture the essence of the Mediterranean. Italy and Greece are depicted. Spain is also featured. Graf Schack knew these countries well. He traveled extensively. He collected copies of masterpieces from the 16th and 17th centuries. These were mainly by Venetian artists. Giorgione and Titian are represented. Tintoretto and Veronese are also included.
The Sammlung Schack is an important document of art collecting in Germany. It is also a unique museum of the late Romantic period. It offers visitors insights into the longings and dreams of this era. The collection reflects the influence of travel, literature, myths and ideals.
Graf Schack moved to Munich in 1856. King Maximilian II of Bavaria invited him. Schack became interested in contemporary painting. He saw it at the Neue Pinakothek. He also saw it at exhibitions in the Glaspalast. In 1857, he acquired Die Vision des Ezechiel by Bonaventura Genelli. It was likely his first purchase. Schack soon began to collect systematically.
He became a patron. He supported Munich artists. He acquired entire groups of works. This supported the artists financially. He paid prices in the mid-to-upper range. As art prices rose, Schack could no longer compete. His wealth did not grow like that of industrialists.
The Sammlung Schack reflects Schack’s literary interests. It includes references to Christian teachings. Contemporary literature is also featured. Mythological themes are present. Schack also collected many landscapes. These depict Germany, Italy, Spain or Greece. They connect to his own travels.
By his death in 1894, Graf Schack had acquired around 200 paintings. These were by German artists. He also had about 70 copies of paintings by Old Masters. These included major works of Venetian painting. Franz von Lenbach and August Wolf created these copies.
In his will of 1874, Schack bequeathed his entire collection. He also left his Palais to the German Emperor. He wanted the collection to remain in its building. However, he later assumed the Emperor would move the collection to Berlin. He insisted that the collection not be separated. It should not be mixed with other paintings.
After Schack’s death in 1894, Wilhelm II inherited the collection. The Emperor decided to keep it in Munich. He bought the Palais from Schack’s heirs. In 1909, the collection moved to a new gallery. It was built with the Prussian Embassy.
Today, the Sammlung Schack stands as a testament to one man’s vision. It offers a glimpse into the art and ideals of the 19th century. It is a treasure trove of German Romantic painting.