The life-size double statue of Princesses Luise and Friederike of Prussia, the so-called Princess Group, is the main work of Johann Gottfried Schadow (1764–1850). The sculptor is considered the founder of the Berlin school of sculpture and, with this work in particular, has become the epitome of German classicism. As the first statue of two female historical figures, the sculpture group made art history and is still a highlight for Berlin visitors from all over the world. The first retrospective in around 30 years presents Schadow's main sculptural, graphic and art theoretical works in eleven chapters. After extensive restoration, the original plaster model (1795) of the princess group is being exhibited for the first time ever together with the marble original (1797).
The Nationalgalerie's collection contains around 150 works, the world's most comprehensive collection of sculptural works by Schadow, including both originals from the Princess Group. Since the last retrospective almost 30 years ago, the starting point of which was the Alte Nationalgalerie, many new insights into the artist, work, workshop operations and working methods have become known. This is due not least to the large-scale research and restoration project of the plaster original of the princess group from Schadow's workshop, the results of which are now being presented publicly for the first time.
Numerous international loans, including sculptural works, paintings and graphics as well as art theoretical writings, offer insights into the creation and reception of the Princess Group. Works by Schadow's contemporaries such as Gainsborough, Tischbein, Weitsch, Chodowiecki and Begas are shown.
The exhibition is curated by Yvette Deseyve.
A German-language and an English-language catalog will be published. The exhibition is made possible by the Friends of the National Gallery, the Ernst von Siemens Art Foundation and the Cultural Foundation of the States. The three-year restoration project of the original plaster model of the princess group was funded by the Hermann Reemtsma Foundation, the Rudolf-August Oetker Foundation and the Cultural Foundation of the States. The Bern University of Applied Sciences and the Bern University of the Arts supported the project as cooperation partners.