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Detail, center of facade, double staircase with ground floor entrance and the equestrian statue of Frederick William IV; Stüler was a Prussian architect and writer who served as Architect to the King during the reign of Frederick William IV (King of Prussia). He was sometimes described as a tool of Frederick William IV, who had architectural ambitions of his own. Stüler was, however, a creative and independent architect, although influenced by the King. He collaborated (1865-1869) with Strack in the design of the Nationalgalerie (completed 1876), beside the Neues Museum. The Neoclassical building is in the form of a Roman temple with an appended apse. The double entrance stairs are Renaissance Revival. Because of the building's modern construction using brick and iron, it was widely believed to be fireproof. Parts of the museum were damaged in WWII; between 1998 and 2001, the museum was renovated thoroughly. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 4/25/2013)