What's On at Europe's Musuems

A Dolls' House in Dresden

Garnisonkirche, Dresden

The Puppet Theatre Collection is one of a kind in Germany. It traces the history of puppet theater in Saxony from the late 18th century, and also houses puppets, stages and props from various European countries as well as Egypt, India, China, Japan and Indonesia. Having begun as a private collection assembled by the Leipzig historiographer of puppet theatre, Otto Link (1888-1959), the museum now includes more than 35,000 objects such as marionettes, glove and rod puppets, shadow figures, stage props, and theatre broadsheets. Center stage is taken by the puppets and scenery of the travelling marionette theatres, the Hohnstein handpuppets, the rod puppets made by Carl Schröder, objects from the Theatrum Mundi, and toy theatres.

The Puppet Theater Collection is open daily 10am-5pm except Monday.

A Few of his Favorite Things

The Helmut Newton Foundation, Berlin

After "Us and Them" and "Sex and Landscapes," June Newton, widow of fashion photographer Helmut Newton, has now opened the third part of Berlin's Helmut Newton Foundation museum, "Private Property." The exhibition features cameras, accessories and objects Newton used for his work, as well as his famous Newton Mobile (pictured). German-born Newton, who died on Jan. 23, 2004 in Los Angeles, developed his own unmistakable style as a successful fashion photographer, a style characterized by cool, sexually charged aesthetics. His work covers a broad spectrum of fashion and commercial photography, portrait and nude photography, through to landscapes and experimental-surreal picture stories

Private Property is open is open Sun, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 10am - 6pm, Thur 10am - 10pm, closed Monday

Berlin Gets Romantic

Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin

Berlin has centered this exhibition of German romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich's work around his seminal painting "Der Watzmann", named after a mountain on the German-Austrian border. The exhibition explores the background and influences on the development of this painting, and also investigates the artist's involvement with his contemporaries, painters such as August Heinrich, Ludwig Richter, Carl Gustav Carus und Johan Christian Dahl. "Der Watzmann" is the ultimate example of a romantic alpine landscape painting, which features an almost religious mysticism.

Caspar David Friedrich: Der Watzmann runs from Oct. 30 - Jan. 30, 2005 and is open Sun, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 10 am - 6 pm, Thur 10am - 10 pm, closed Monday

And They All Lived Happily Ever After

Austrian Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna

The MAK gallery in Vienna is currently hosting a exhibition of some 90 Russian children's books penned between 1920 - 1940. The character of their work changed dramatically with the October Revolution 1917, when many of them -- as members of the Russian avant garde -- fell victim to Stalinist repression. The books exhibited are works of fiction, often used as politically didactic instruments; insights into the life and times of the authors and illustrators; and last but not least, a reflection of Soviet social realism.

Once Upon a Time runs through Feb. 20, 2005 and is open Tue 10am- 12pm, Wed - Sun 10am - 6pm, closed Monday

Caught Between Classic and Modern

Complesso del Vittoriano, Rome

Rome's Complesso del Vittoriano hosts a special exhibition that turns the spotlight on the world famous paintings, drawings, etchings and sculptures by French Impressionist Edgar Degas. His work has stood the test of time by keeping its aesthetic and expressive appeal. Featuring an extensive collection of major works by the acclaimed artist, the exhibition focuses on how he perceived and portrayed the world around him, highlighting the tension between traditional values and the pull of modernity.

Degas: Classic and Modern runs through Feb. 1, 2005 and is open Mon - Thur 9:30am - 7:30 pm, Fr and Sat 9:30am - 11:30pm, Sun 9:30am - 8:30pm