The Dresden Picture Gallery, or, as it is also called, the Gallery of Old Masters, is located in one of the most famous cities in Germany. The museum contains the richest collection of masterpieces of world art created by the great masters of the Renaissance and Baroque.
History of the Dresden Art Gallery
The German Gallery opened in 1560. Then, by order of the Elector Augustus of Saxony, a cabinet of fine arts (Kunstkammer) was created in Dresden, in which, among other things, canvases by Italian and Flemish masters of painting were exhibited. The collection began to be systematically replenished with new exhibits from the middle of the 18th century, during the reign of the Elector Augustus II the Strong, and then his son Augustus III.
The most significant contribution to the history of the gallery was made by the famous art expert Francesco Algarotti, who in 1740, being a confidant of the rulers of Saxony, contributed to the acquisition of 100 paintings at once. After that, the gallery gradually becomes famous all over the world.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the Dresden Gallery began to expand, a new building was built, which today is an integral part of the famous Zwinger complex.
During the Second World War, the gallery was badly damaged, some of the buildings were destroyed, but most of the exhibits were removed on time. After the end of the war, the rescued paintings were sent for restoration to the Soviet Union, and 10 years after a large-scale exhibition in Moscow, they returned to the walls of their native Dresden gallery.
Collection of the Dresden Art Gallery
The Dresden Art Gallery displays a large number of masterful works from renowned artists such as Titian, Van Dyck, Rubens and Giorgione. The famous "Sistine Madonna" in the Dresden Gallery is considered the most valuable exhibit today, taking pride of place in the hall. The painting was painted by the inimitable Raphael.
Also, many purposefully come to the museum to admire the creation of Giorgione "Sleeping Venus".
Among the examples of painting of the 18th century, the works of Giovanni Canale are highly revered. His canvases depict landscapes and views of Dresden and the surrounding area. The distinctive features of Canale's paintings are identity and photographic accuracy. He, like no one else, knew how to convey all the beauty that this beautiful city is filled with.
A separate part of the gallery's exposition is dedicated to the Flemish Baroque era. The most famous creators of this style are Rubens, Rembrandt, Durer and Holbein. Visitors will not be able to pass by the collection of pastels, especially the canvas "Chocolate Girl" by Jean-Etienne Lyotard.
The Dresden Art Gallery displays not only works by German artists, but also collections of other famous painters. For example, the gallery contains the work "Jewish Cemetery" by the Dutchman Jacob van Ruisdael. This work, with some sarcasm and allegories, reflects the human essence and human existence on earth.
Compared to other galleries in the country, the Old Masters Gallery has brought together the largest number of works by this artist.
True connoisseurs of the great Rembrandt's talent can contemplate 15 of his works in the Dresden Picture Gallery at once.
Visitors have the chance to enjoy such creations as "The Lady in Black in Front of the Red Curtain", "The Lord in Black in Front of the Column". One cannot ignore the portraits of the children of Charles I, who held the post of King of England at the time of writing.
The Gallery of Old Masters displays works by French, English and Spanish schools of the 17th-18th centuries. It should be noted that the Dresden Picture Gallery tries to preserve the spirit and traditions that were present at its creation. Nothing changes in the museum walls: neither the order in which the paintings are hung, nor the old-fashioned frames for today. Perhaps it is thanks to these traditions that the Gallery of Old Masters is one of the most visited in comparison with other museums, where works of the XIV-XVIII centuries are located.
As a modern branch of the Dresden Picture Gallery, the Gallery of New Masters functions, which contains a collection of paintings by Carl Gustav Carus, Johan Christian Dahl, Ludwig Richter.
In addition to them, the new masters include the French and German Impressionists: Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Max Liebermann, Max Slevogt.
A place in the collection was also found by the artists of the Most association (art group): Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, as well as representatives of the Dresden Secession - Bernhard Kretschmar, Karl Lohse.
Masterpieces of the Dresden Art Gallery
Although within the walls of the gallery there are a huge number of world masterpieces, the most famous paintings can still be distinguished. The treasures of the Dresden gallery are:
- Raphael's "Sistine Madonna" It is this work that is considered one of the most delightful paintings by the artist. The canvas depicts the Madonna holding little Jesus in her arms. The Madonna and Child are in heaven, and it seems that she is about to step towards her observers. Her gaze is directed directly at you, and it is impossible to pass by this picture. Pope Sixtus II and Saint Barbara are also painted on the canvas.
- "Chocolate Girl" by Lyotard. Although the painting was painted in 1745, it combines both ancient notes and motives of the 19th century. The canvas depicts a young girl holding a tray with cups of hot chocolate and a glass of water. Despite numerous criticism, which is based on the fact that this is not a portrait, but a staged scene, the picture has sunk deep into the souls of many art connoisseurs.
- Sleeping Venus by Giorgione. This world famous painting depicts the goddess of love in a relaxed position and resting in the shade of a rock. In the foreground, the artist captured with minimal details of drapery, and in the distance he depicted a landscape with a small village and majestic mountains. Although the great Giorgione could not finish the painting on his own, he was finished by the master's apprentice, the no less famous Titian. This artist also used the described landscape in his works.
- "Holy Night" by Correggio. This canvas depicts one of the most recognizable scenes from the Bible: the worship of a shepherd to the newly born Jesus. The value and fame of this work brings the reliability of the image of a night scene, which gives the feeling of a space associated with light. Correggio successfully showed the process of a lively conversation between the shepherd and the maid, as well as the moment where Maria experiences the first, most joyful maternal feelings.
- "Denarius of Caesar" by Titian. As noted, Titian was a student of Giorgione, and took the best skills from the mentor. This canvas is dedicated to the biblical story in which the Pharisee tried to deceive Jesus. The purpose of the picture is not to display the entire plot, but only to demonstrate the faces of the characters with their personal emotions and gestures, which is why the figures are depicted on the entire canvas. The author unrivaled and in a manner peculiar to himself shows the true appearance of the characters, their understanding of good and evil, honesty and falsehood. Although the canvas is small, it is always eye-catching and thought-provoking.
Schedule
The Dresden Picture Gallery is considered one of the three museums in the Zwinger Palace complex, so the package ticket applies to all three attractions. In addition to the Gallery of Old Masters, it will be possible to visit the Porcelain Museum and the Physics and Mathematics Salon.
The ticket price for an adult is 10 euros, for students and seniors, the entrance will cost 7.50 euros.
For visitors under the age of 17, admission is free.
The museum provides discounts for group visits, for example, for a group of 10 adults, a common ticket will cost 90 euros.Various excursions are also organized for groups.
At the entrance to the museum complex, everyone is offered, if they wish, to additionally purchase a map, which indicates the main works, and an audio guide worth 3 euros. With its help, visitors can receive information in the desired language, including Russian, directly in front of each canvas.
The official website of the Dresden Art Gallery contains detailed information and opening hours of the museum. The gallery is open for visits every day, except Saturday and Monday, according to the schedule from 10.00 to 19.00. Opening hours have not changed for a long time.
Location
The Dresden Picture Gallery is located at Theaterplatz 1, 01067 Dresden, Germany. This place belongs to the historic city center of Dresden.
Getting to the museum is quite simple: to do this, from the Central City Station you need to take bus number 333, number 360 or tram number 11 and get off at the Dresden Postplatz stop.
You can get to the Gallery of Old Masters in another way convenient for you. For example, if you want to walk from the Central Station. The duration of the walk at a slow pace will not exceed half an hour.
Finally
The Dresden Picture Gallery occupies an honorable place among the best museum complexes in the world. The National Art Gallery, as the guides call it, united the works of eminent and talented artists of the XIV-XVIII centuries.
It is not necessary to have a deep knowledge of the history of painting in advance: visitors will in any case get an impression of this gallery for a lifetime.
As the capital of art in Germany, Dresden has acquired the status of a shopping center in recent years. Therefore, after cultural inspiration, guests of the city can go for a walk in the historical center and look into the Altmarkt gallery and Centrum galerie shopping centers located there.
