Kupferstichkabinettt

The Kupferstichkabinett in Berlin holds the largest collection of graphic art in Germany. Its rooms and archives bring together centuries of creativity on paper—delicate drawings, precise engravings, rare prints, and experimental works by artists from many eras.

What the collection includes

Visitors encounter a wide range of techniques: copper engravings, woodcuts, lithographs, etchings, and masterful drawings. The holdings span from medieval sheets to contemporary editions, with names like Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, and Adolph Menzel often represented alongside modern and international artists. Many pieces are small or intimate in scale, encouraging slow looking and close attention to detail.

How the museum works

Because light is a threat to works on paper, the display rotates regularly. Selected highlights appear in changing exhibitions, while much of the collection is preserved in study rooms and storage for long-term care. Visitors can see curated shows that explore themes, techniques, or individual artists, and researchers may request access to examine originals under supervision.

History and setting

The Kupferstichkabinett is part of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. Over time, the collection grew through royal acquisitions, private donations, and systematic collecting, building a record of European printmaking and drawing. Today, its catalog continues to expand with modern and contemporary works, reflecting new voices and methods in graphic art.

Why graphic art matters here

Works on paper often reveal an artist’s hand at its most direct: a quick sketch, a test print, a proof before the final state. The museum’s archives preserve these moments, showing how ideas move from concept to finished image. Visitors gain insight into processes that shaped books, posters, portraits, and visual culture across the centuries.