Both the building and the contents of the Alte Nationalgalerie are beautiful in their own right. The exterior was designed by Friendrich August Stuler and Carl Busse, in a style that mixes late Classicism and early Neorenaissance. The grand staircase is reminiscent of a theatre and the apse of a church, with the design intending to express the unity of art, nation and history. A copper-green statue of Frederick William IV stands central at the top of the stairs, and the inside stairs boast a frieze by Otto Geyer depicting German history from prehistoric times to the 19th century, accumulating to a grand and eclectic mix of style and culture to house the collection.
Originally the gallery was dedicated to contemporary and Prussian art, but as time passed Impressionist and Expressionist art was added, ending the focus on German art. Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker" and works by Edouard Manet and Claude Monet are amongst the pieces, and are particularly impressive on the upper floors. The interior of the building is also stunning, altering between teal and scarlet walls edged in black and much more elaborate white and cream coving. None of this detracts from the art however, and simply highlights the tonal ranges and themes of each room.
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