KUPFERSTICHKABINETT (MUSEUM OF PRINTS AND DRAWINGS), BERLIN

It is a collection of art, part of Berlin State Museums. It is the largest collection of graphic art in Germany, with more than 500,000 prints and circa 110,000 drawings.

The Kupferstichkabinett was founded in 1831. Its core was formed by the collection of the Elector Frederick William I, acquired in 1652. The collection counted 2500 drawings and was stored in the library of the Electors. In 19^th century, it started to grow at a quick pace. In 1835, the most important acquisition of all was made, the Nagler graphic collection counting more than 50,000 prints and drawings.

After the World War II, the collection of the Kupferstichkabinett was divided between East and West Germany. Presently, all the parts of the collection are reunited. Drawings by German artists of 19^th–20^th centuries stored since 19^th century in the National Gallery have been added to the Kupferstichkabinett. In 1994, a new separate building for Kupferstichkabinett was built in the Kulturforum, the Cultural Centre of Berlin.