Fancy a little bit of Versailles right here in Berlin? Well, it’s just around the corner at Schloss Charlottenburg, where you will find a magnificent melange of baroque, early classicism and rococo. The palace’s imposing halls are finished in gold, silver and marble and adorned with artistic masterpieces – even on the ceilings. But head to the exhibition Clashing Styles?! West Berlin in Turmoil Over a Ceiling Painting (until 31.10.2022) and you’ll discover artworks that are a little more modern. The subject of the show is the fiery post-war debate over the repainting of the ceiling in the palace’s White Hall, which was destroyed during the Second World War. In the argument over whether to be faithful to the original design or introduce modern elements, painter Hann Trier (1915-1999) prevailed and created a contemporary version of the original mural. The exhibition offers a chance to marvel at his colorful ceiling work alongside never-before-seen originals and historical objects.
The highlight, however, remains the tour of the White Hall, where designs from the 1950s and 1960s as well as Hann Trier’s monumental 1971/72 works are presented beneath the imposing ceiling painting. The beautiful baroque palace park is also worth visiting, as are the workshops where you can get creative by making your own ceiling painting. No matter whether you look up, down or straight ahead, a trip to Charlottenburg’s finest building will always please the eyes.
Text: Alison Musch / Photos: SPSG, Wolfgang Pfauder, 2018; Bildarchiv Foto Marburg, SPSG, Andreas Lechtape, 2018; unknown, November 1952 / Credit: Kunststiftung Hann Trier, VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2021.
Schloss Charlottenburg (new wing), Spandauer Damm 10-22, 14059 Berlin–Charlottenburg; map.
Tue–Wed 10–17h30, Thur 10–19h, Fri–Sun 10–17h30. You can buy tickets online.
