Bode, Wilhelm Von

(vĭl´hĕlm fən bō´də), 1845–1929, German art critic and writer. He abandoned law for art and archaeology in 1869. In 1872 he was made assistant in the Berlin Museum; in 1883, director of the department of Christian sculpture; and in 1890, director of the gallery of paintings. Under his supervision the museum grew into one of the world's greatest collections. From 1905 to 1920 he was director-general of the royal museums of Prussia. His books include Rembrandt (with Hofstede de Groot, 8 vol., 1897–1905; tr. 1906), Great Masters of Dutch and Flemish Painting (tr. 1909), and Florentine Sculptors of the Renaissance (1902, tr. 1909).