Napoleonic Wars paintings in Munchen

MUNICH - ‘B for Battle Paintings…’ presents works from the extensive collection of the Neue Pinakothek.

‘B for Battle Paintings …’ is something quite special. For the first time in over thirty years, the exhibition brings together in Munich all of Wilhelm von Kobell’s paintings from his two cycles of battle paintings dedicated to the Napoleonic Wars at the beginning of the 19th century and held in the collection of the Neue Pinakothek.

The two cycles of battle scenes form the centerpiece of the presentation.

As a consequence, this presentation has chosen to concentrate less on the events of what took place two hundred years ago and to focus instead on the question of the changing function of this genre in 19th-century painting.

The Study Gallery presents the masterpieces from the gallery’s upper floor in a wider historical context whilst also facilitating an understanding of the paintings as individual works. 

Some questions must remain unanswered and certain observations in need of a wider horizon unexpressed. Consequently, there is no scientifically weighty exhibition catalogue to accompany the presentation.