STÄDEL MUSEUM

More commonly known as the Städel, after its founder, this is Frankfurt's most famous art museum. It boasts an exceptional collection of works. All trends in European painting since the ^14th century are represented in this priceless museum. German masters (Dürer, Holbein) rub shoulders with their Flemish, Dutch and French contemporaries. ^{Fourteenth-century} Italian painting is also well represented. The chronological order is devoted to the most esteemed painters of the ^20th century, both German and foreign. The basement is devoted to modern art, with works by contemporary artists such as Giacometti, Picasso, Warhol, Reinhardt and Francis Bacon. It's well worth a visit, if only to discover - or revisit - an absolute masterpiece. For the first time in the history of painting, the museum is exhibiting a painting that represents the first example of a "snapshot" in painting, a scene taken "on the spot", like an instant photo. The painting in question is Rembrandt's The Blinding of Samson by the Philistines, painted in 1636. His work marks a turning point in the history of painting. The painting is utterly realistic and almost spine-chilling.

The second masterpiece on display is one of Hieronymus Bosch's paintings, Ecce homo (Christ's presentation to the people). The museum also exhibits works by Rubens, Botticelli, Vermeer, Poussin, Renoir, Cézanne..