Berlin, Germany/berlin236
Previous | Home | NextThis painting of the Heilige Geist Kirche, a water-color by Leopold Ludwig Müller in 1804, is a fortunate corroboration of the previous painting. The Apotheke zum weißen Schwan is identified with an (e) in the water-color. Look closely -- above the transom of the apothecary door is a small white swan! Again, the view is northeast along today's St. Wolfgang Straße. The alley marked with a (f), receding from the viewer, is "die Heidenreutergasse" which is identified in the maps displayed in the Märkisches Museum and precisely identifies the location of the apothecary, on the northeast corner of Spandauer Straße (marked with (d), below the door of the pharmacy) and the Heidenreutergasse. The Heidenreutergasse no longer exists and the line of buildings is continuous along Spandauer Straße. Notice that the steeple of the church is on the west side (towards the viewer). This steeple was built in 1752, and was torn down in 1816. The church went without a tower until 1906, when it was built on the east side (away from the viewer). As noted above, the wooden city model in Märkisches Museum has the steeple on the incorrect side for its date. The addition on the wall ("Anbauten") which is visible in this painting was built in 1752 and removed about 1825. Hence, the previous painting (which lacks this "Anbauten") apparently must have been after 1825. Other well-known apothecaries who worked here include S. F. Hermbstaedt (1758-1833) who supported Klaproth in his acceptance of the French antiphlogistonic theory, and A. F. Gehlen (1775-1815) who founded modern journals of chemistry known by his name. Other asides identifed by letters in the painting are (a) the hospital; (b) the church chapel; and (c) the "Wursthoff" [sic] to the left, an area once used for raising hogs to furnish food in support of the hospital. Aquarell von Leopold Ludwig Müller mit der Darstellung "Das Hospital und Kirche zum Heiligen Geist an der Spandower Straße im Jahre 1804 [Water-color by L. L. Müller titled "The Hospital and church of the Holy Ghost on Spandauer Straße in 1804]. Courtesy, Kupferstichkabineet, Staatliche Museum zu Berlin.
