Munich, Day 2

Our group in front of the Glyptothek, one of the premier Classical statuary galleries of Europe.

We have just finished a delightful, full day in Europe. After a week and a half in bustling, busy European capitals, this clean, well-run, and large but manageable Bavarian city was just what we needed. The museums were still top-notch, but we found the pace and pressure a relief.

The Munich Propylaea, with a stage set up in front for today's Corpus Christi mass.

We began our day, as we always do, with the academic focus of our program. First, we went to the stellar Staatliche Sammlung für Ägyptische Kunst. then walked a couple of blocks over to two Classical museums that are both found on the Königsplatz, a Classical revival square established by Crown Prince, later King Ludwig of Bavaria. Entered by a Doric-style Propylaea, or ceremonial gateway, that hearkens back to the famous one we will soon see in Athens, it is faced on two other sides by the Glyptothek, a statue gallery, and the Staatliche Antikensammlungen, a collection of other Classical antiquities.




Staatliches Sammlung für Ägyptische Kunst

The State Museum for Egyptian Art  is one best laid-out and best-curated museums that was have been in so far. Part of this is because it is housed in a handsome new building that boasts many modern conveniences and interactive experiences. The other part is because, well, it is German, and each room is well-introduced and each exhibit well-described. I felt like I understood the development and trends in Egyptian art and to some extent architecture better than I ever have before after going through it for the second time today.

  

Seated figure of the physician Sesheshen-se-hathor. Middle Kingdom. Eric Huntsman © 2017 for educational purposes only.

Seated statue of the priest Amun Bakenkhorasu. New Kingdom. Eric Huntsman © 2017 for educational purposes only.

Cult statue of the god Horus as falcon wearing the double crown. Late Period.
Eric Huntsman © 2017 for educational purposes only.

Isis and Serapis. Roman Period. Eric Huntsman © 2017 for educational purposes only.

Enthroned Isis holding the nursing Horus. Early Roman Period. Compare with the Madonna and Child.
Eric Huntsman © 2017 for educational purposes only.

Walking over to the Königsplatz, I pointed out to a World War II-ear building that survived the bombings and the destruction of that terrible war. Now adapted to another function, it is still an eerie reminder of the Nazi-style of architecture that illustrates their statist world view.

Passing this relic of a darker past, we saw a Corpus Christi parade. In fact, we could not cross over to the Staatliche Antikensammlung, where we had scheduled our 12:00 visit and needed to do the Glyptothek on this side of the platz first. Given what we usually hear about the secular state of society Europe, this public display of religiosity was interesting, and welcome.

The Glyptothek

This symmetrical and beautiful Ionic-style building contains a spectacular collection of Archaic, Classical Greek, and Hellenistic statues (though sometimes later Roman-copies of Classical and Hellenistic masterpieces). Unfortunately the Roman rooms were closed for renovation.

Discussing the Apollo of Tenea. Eric Huntsman © 2017 for educational purposes only.

Munich Kouros. Eric Huntsman © 2017 for educational purposes only.

Archaic (top, from the west pediment) versus Clasical (bottom, from the east), both from the Temple of Aphaia on Aegina. Eric Huntsman © 2017 for educational purposes only.

Grave relief of Mnesarete. Eric Huntsman © 2017 for educational purposes only.

Head from a statue of a youth. Eric Huntsman © 2017 for educational purposes only.

Eirene and Ploutos, allegories illustrating how Peace brings Wealth or prosperity.
Eric Huntsman © 2017 for educational purposes only.

Bronze head from a statue of a satyr. Eric Huntsman © 2017 for educational purposes only.

The Staatliche Antikensammlungen

The State Collections of Antiquities contains a variety of other kinds of Classical artifacts, with a particular emphasis on vase painting, jewelry, and even armor and weapons.

Here Madi Brasher, a non-major, excitedly discusses the famous Dionysus Cup by Exekias, which was the subject of her Munich museum report.

Free Afternoon in Munich

Our time in Munich is short, but the students had the afternoon free to explore more of the city or, as a group of them decided, to take the short trip to tour the Dachau concentration camp.

Rachel was not feeling well, so after getting some lunch, we went back to the hotel so that she could rest and I could work on my reports. We then went to the Munich Jewish Museum, a new building that is built right next to the modern-looking Jewish synagogue.

We then walked around the Altsadt some until it was time to meet the group for dinner.

St. Peter's Church. We did not take any pictures inside because a Gottesdienst, or mass, was taking place for Corpus Christi.

A better view of the New Rathaus than I was able to take last night.

The Mariensäule, or votive Mary column, that gives Marienplatz its name

Dinner at the Hofbräuhaus 

And what a dinner it was! Formerly the "Royal Public Brewery in Munich," the Hofbräuhaus has been in business since 1589. A live Bavarian band, dancers, and whipmaster, serving women in dirndles carrying baskets of pretzels, and lots and lots of food mad for a delightful evening for our group.

 Vielen Dank, München! Wir haben unsere Zeit hier geliebt.

Αύριο, πάμε στην Ελλάδα!