Varied in genre and technique, paintings from all the leading 19th-century German schools provide visitors with an overview of German art of the period.
Only a few of the Nazarenes are represented, but they are among the most characteristic of this circle: F.Overbeck, P.Veit and the brothers Reipenhausen.
The Berlin School is much more fully represented, with over 20 portraits of Russians by Franz Kruger, works by Magnus, E.Hilderbrandt, Werner and the Meyerheim family. From the Munich School are paintings by A.Adam, Wagenbauer, Burkel, and G.Max.
The picturesque Savoyard Boy Sleeping (1869) by Leibl and nine works by P.Hess illustrating the battles of the Patriotic War of 1812 and commissioned by the Russian Court are amongst the other notable works in the collection.
Also of interest are works by von Klenze, architect of the New Hermitage, and canvases by Franz von Stuck, including his famous Battle over a Woman (1905).
From the Dusseldorf School, mention should be made of the renowned Grieving King and Queen by Lessing, the early Nemesis (1837) by Rethel, landscapes by the brothers Achenbach and works by Knaus.
Nine works by Caspar David Friederich, master of the Romantic era, are of exceptional quality, particularly On Board a Sailing Ship and Harbour at Night.
