Self-portrait with feather-adorned beret
The etching of the self-portrait by graphic virtuoso Rembrandt exemplifies the almost 20,000-sheet graphic collection of the Göttingen University Art Collection. The distinction between printmaking techniques, states of quality, individual features such as watermarks and stamps can only be illustrated in teaching using originals.
Rembrandt van Rijn / 1638 / Reproduction
Portrait of a Princess of Naples (Isabella of Aragon)
The "mother object" of the plaster cast was traditionally attributed to sculptor Francesco Laurana, who was famous for his graceful busts of women, with which he became one of the most important artists of the early Renaissance. Since the original in the Berlin Sculpture Collection was severely damaged during the Second World War, only the replica still reflects the original condition, which is why the mould taken in 1888 is of particular importance. The three-dimensionality, all-visibility and haptic qualities of plaster casts enable a more in-depth examination of sculptural objects in teaching.
after Francesco Laurana / ca. 1890
Village Landscape with Carousing Peasants
This stage-like painting with a low-lying horizon and diverse personnel seems to be a typical work of Dutch genre painting, which is often characterised by a fine quality of drawing and differentiated tonality. Close autopsy, however, reveals it to be a 19th century creation. Genre painting was on the upswing in the 19th century. Models of Dutch art became more popular with artists and viewers. The painting exemplifies the unusually large and high-quality collection of paintings at the University Art Collection, on which the students are trained.
Unknown, Dutch or German / ca. 1850
Nil carbone sed usu - Nulla dies sine Linea / HIC OPUS HIC LABOR
The drawing was based on an engraving by Crispijn de Passe II for his book 't Light der teken en schilder konst (The Light of Drawing and Painting) published in Amsterdam in 1643. It is exemplary for the collection of original drawings in the university art collection, which comprises around 2500 sheets. In seminars, students conduct research on the basis of the originals, design exhibitions and publish the results in academic catalogues.
after Crispijn van de Passe / unknown / reproduction
Arts Collection
The history of the University of Göttingen's art collection dates back to the founding years of the Georgia Augusta. The collection is thus one of the oldest cultural institutions in Göttingen. Its basic holdings emerged from two significant endowments: in 1736, the Frankfurt patrician Johann Friedrich Armand von Uffenbach (1687-1769) decided to leave his extensive holdings of prints and drawings to the University after his death. The second formative donation consisted of around 300 paintings and is owed to Johann Wilhelm Zschorn (1714-1795). Thus, towards the end of the 18th century, the oldest university art collection in Germany was created.
