While in Cologne, we visited the Schnütgen Museum. It seemed a quaint, out of the way sight, but in researching now, it is apparently quite prestigious. Makes sense. According to Frommer's,
this is Cologne's best collection of religious art and sculpture. It's all displayed in an original setting, St. Cecilia's Church (Cäcilienkirche), which is a fine example of Rhenish-Romanic architecture. The works displayed include several medieval ivories, woodwork, and tapestries, including one showing rosy-cheeked Magi bringing gifts to the Christ Child (1470). There are also many Madonnas, of all sizes and descriptions, carved in stone, wood, and metal. LINK
The Schnutgen was the find of the trip for us and a favorite of Chris's. Some of the wood sculptures were astonishing and affecting. The connection with the figure as art and with the character of the person depicted and with the artist—it all was immediate and powerful.
We could shoot without a flash; video shooting was a good as it got.
