Skip to main content

A look at life and work

A look at life and work of Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781-1841). His  artistic oeuvre is extensive: as a painter, architect, art theorist, stage designer, and designer, his work permeated all areas of modern life around 1800; With his designs and urban planning, he shaped the architectural appearance of Prussia like no other.


"Everywhere you are only truly alive where you create something new"

Richly illustrated documentation panels in the gallery of the Friedrichswerder Church focus in fourteen chapters on Schinkel's multifaceted artistic work and invite visitors to discover the influential artist in greater depth.

Schinkel's importance as a painter, draftsman and stage designer is discussed, as is his demanding role as a building official and state artist at the Oberbaudeputation, his function as a city planner, monument conservator or his pedagogical concern of an all-encompassing artistic shaping of his own present:

Man should make himself beautiful in everything, so that every action emanating from him becomes beautiful through and through in motifs and execution. [...] every action is an artistic task for him. Thus he has bliss on earth [...].



His artistic work and visionary thinking made him a European artist with international appeal far beyond the 19th century

Schinkel Lectures

The Schinkel Lectures mark the beginning of an extensive cycle of lectures on Schinkel's multifaceted artistic work and influence. For more information on the lecture program and the extensive educational program, please see the calendar of events of the Friedrichswerder Church.

A permanent exhibition of the National Gallery of the National Museums in BerlinTranslated with DeepL
Additional information

  • Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
  • Wednesday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm
  • Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 6 pm