International Art Treasures Web Magazine

September 2004  

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Destination Dresden

Title: Sistine Madonna
Artist: Raphael Sanzi (Italy 1483-1520)
Permanent Collection: Old Masters Picture Gallery
 [Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister], Dresden
Photo: DWT / Dittrich
Image Courtesy: DWT

Dresden is a required destination for those seeking to personally enjoy one of the greatest masterpieces in the world, Raphael's Sistine Madonna at the Old Masters Picture Gallery. It is also where one will find Titian's Tribute Money and Rembrandt's Self-Portrait with Saskia, which is a painting of the artist and his wife. Many of the pieces were from the collection of King Augustus II.

Title: Zwinger in Summer
Photo: DWT / Christoph Münch
Image Courtesy: DWT

The Baroque Zwinger is perhaps the most famous building in Dresden.

Title: Three Satyrs, Rampart Pavilion Zwinger
Photo: DWT / Dittrich
Image Courtesy: DWT

King Augustus II  commissioned the Zwinger. It was designed by Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann. Originally used for royal tournaments and events, it now houses several museums including the Old Masters Picture Gallery. A historical collection of Meissen Porcelain Collection is in the Porzellansammlung at the Zwinger. Visitors need to allow plenty of time to view two other museums. One is devoted to scientific objects some dating back to the 13th Century, and there is an excellent Armory Museum, both located in the massive Zwinger.

Balthasar Permoser was responsible for much of the sculpture in the Zwinger.

Title: Semper Opera House
Artist: Gottfried Semper (1803-1879)
Photo: DWT / Dittrich
Image Courtesy: DWT

Gottfried Semper designed the Neo-Renaissance building that bears his name. It is the only Opera House to ever be named for the architect. Completed in 1841 it burned to the ground and was rebuilt from 1867-1896.

History

Title: Mozart Monument In 1789 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart visited Dresden. This fountain, in Bürgerwiese, honors the visit. Photo: DWT / Christoph Münch Image Courtesy: DWT

A result of this has been to restore the city to its former glory, something not done while it was a satellite. Luckily, some of the sculpture such as the Mozart Monument survived the Second World War intact.

Porcelain

Christmas

Title: Striezelmarkt - Ore Mountain Traditions Photo: DWT / Christoph Münch Image Courtesy: DWT

Thanks to the influence of Prince Albert. Germany provided one of the symbols of Christmas to the Western world, the Christmas Tree. Hardly surprising that one of the notable annual events in Dresden is the Striezelmarkt. It is an art and crafts fair.

Dresden Palace Exhibitions

Naturally the city has special exhibitions. Currently two are standouts!

Meissen for the Tsars until September 26, 2004

Bringing Meissen Porcelain, comprises collections from St. Petersburg and Amsterdam. Catherine the Great ordered 40 mythological groups from the Meissen Manufacturer by Joachim Kaendler and Michel Victor Acier that are brought together in this exhibit.

Rembrandt's Masterpieces, until October 3, 2004

The recently restored rooms of the Dresden Palace will be the home of this collection of Rembrandt's prints, including Saskia.

Dresden belongs on any art fan's list of places they must visit!