Internationalgalerie

An Art Historical Argument

The Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and inaugurated in 1968, is regarded as a landmark of modern architecture. With its clear formal language and functionalist aesthetics, it embodies the principles of the Bauhaus, where Mies served as the last director. However, from an art historical perspective, its name contradicts the ideals that defined the Bauhaus movement—particularly its commitment to internationalism.

Founded in 1919 in Weimar, the Bauhaus was a school that deliberately transcended national boundaries. It served as a platform for artistic and cultural exchange, bringing together teachers and students from diverse countries. This internationalism was central to the Bauhaus philosophy: art and architecture were not to be shaped by nationalism but rather to seek universal solutions for society's needs.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe exemplified this ethos throughout his career. After the Bauhaus was closed by the Nazis, he emigrated to the United States, where he continued to advance its principles. His architecture, including the Neue Nationalgalerie, reflects a universal language of modernism that consciously rejects national styles or parochial expressions.

The name "Neue Nationalgalerie," however, carries a nationalist connotation that undermines the universal and international spirit championed by the Bauhaus and Mies van der Rohe. Renaming it as "Internationalgalerie" would better align with the ideals of the Bauhaus while also emphasizing Berlin's significance as a global hub for art and culture.

The term "Internationalgalerie" would more aptly reflect the plurality and global scope of the collection, which includes works from diverse cultural contexts. This would be a meaningful step toward honoring the Bauhaus's legacy and sending a clear message of openness and cultural dialogue—values that are more important today than ever.

Such a renaming would not only be a gesture of historical coherence but also a powerful statement about the role of art as a bridge between cultures.