History of the Dresden Art Gallery

German Gallery opened in 1560. At that time by order of the Elector Augustus of Saxony in Dresden was created a cabinet of Fine Arts (Kunstkammer), which also exhibited the paintings of Italian and Flemish masters of painting. The collection was systematically expanded in the middle of the 18th century under Elector Augustus II the Strong and his son Augustus III.

The most significant contribution to the history of the gallery was made by renowned art expert Francesco Algarotti, who in 1740 as a confidant of the rulers of Saxony, promoted the purchase of 100 works of art. After that, the gallery gradually became known throughout the world.

At the beginning of the 19th century the Dresden Gallery was expanded and a new building was completed which is today an integrated part of the famous Zwinger complex.

During World War II the gallery was badly damaged, some of the buildings were destroyed, but most of the exhibits were removed in time. After the war the salvaged pictures were sent to the Soviet Union for restoration and 10 years later after a large exhibition in Moscow they returned to the walls of the Dresden Gallery.

Dresden Art Gallery collection

The Dresden Art Gallery offers a large number of artworks from such notable artists as Titian, Van Dyck, Rubens and Giorgione. The famous “Sistine Madonna” in the Dresden gallery is considered the most valuable exhibit today, occupying a place of honor in the hall. The picture was painted by the inimitable Raphael.

Also many people purposefully come to the museum to admire the creation of Giorgione’s “Sleeping Venus”.

Of the examples of painting of the 18th century, the works of Giovanni Canale are highly esteemed. His canvases depict landscapes and views of Dresden and its surroundings. The hallmarks of Canale’s paintings are identity and photographic precision. He was able to convey all the beauty that fills this beautiful city like no other.

A separate part of the gallery’s exposition is devoted to the Flemish Baroque period. The most famous creators of this style are Rubens, Rembrandt, Dürer, and Holbein. Visitors can’t miss the collection of pastels, especially the painting “Chocolatier” by Jean-Etienne Lyotard.

The Dresden Art Gallery not only displays works by German artists, but also collections by other famous painters. For example, the gallery has a work called “The Jewish Cemetery” by Dutchman Jacob van Reisdal. This work, with some sarcasm and allegory, reflects the human essence and man’s stay on earth.
Compared to other galleries around the country, the Old Masters Gallery has the largest number of works by this artist.

True connoisseurs of the talent of the great Rembrandt can contemplate in the Dresden Art Gallery at once 15 of his works.

Visitors have a chance to admire works such as “Lady in Black in Front of the Red Portiere” and “The Man in Black in Front of the Column. The portraits of the children of Charles I, who was King of England at the time the paintings were painted, cannot be overlooked.

The Old Masters Gallery presents works from the French, English and Spanish schools of the 17th and 18th centuries. It should be noted that the Dresden Art Gallery tries to preserve the spirit and traditions that were present at its creation. Nothing in the museum walls changes: neither the order in which the paintings are hung, nor the frames that are now old-fashioned. It is probably due to these traditions that the Old Masters Gallery is one of the most visited in comparison to other museums with works from the fourteenth to the eighteenth centuries.

As a modern branch of the Dresden Picture Gallery, the Gallery of the New Masters operates with a collection of paintings by Carl Gustav Carus, Johan Christian Dahl and Ludwig Richter.

In addition to these, the new masters include French and German impressionists: Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Max Liebermann and Max Slefogt.

A place in the collection also found artists of the Most association (art group): Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Karl Schmidt-Rotluf and representatives of the Dresden Secession – Bernhard Kretschmar and Karl Lose.

Masterpieces of the Dresden Art Gallery

Although there are a huge number of world masterpieces within the walls of the gallery, you can still highlight the most famous paintings. The treasures of the Dresden gallery are:

• Raphael’s “Sistine Madonna”. This particular work is considered one of the most admirable paintings of the artist. The canvas depicts the Madonna holding the little Jesus in her arms. The Madonna and her baby are in heaven, and it seems as if she is about to step towards her observers. Her gaze is directed directly at you, and it is impossible to pass by this picture. Also painted on the canvas are Pope Sixtus II and St. Barbara.
• Lyotard’s “Chocolatier.” Although painted in 1745, this painting combines both antique and 19th century motifs. The canvas depicts a young girl holding a tray with cups of hot chocolate and a glass of water. Despite the many critics who rely on the fact that this is not a portrait, but a staged scene, the picture deeply fell into the soul of many connoisseurs of art.
• “The Sleeping Venus” by Giorgione. This world-famous painting depicts the goddess of love in a relaxed pose and resting in the shadow of a rock. In the foreground, the artist captured with minimal detail the drapery, while in the distance he depicted a landscape with a small village and majestic mountains. Although the great Giorgione was unable to complete the painting on his own, it was completed by the master’s pupil, 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. What makes this work valuable and famous is the authenticity of the portrayal of the night scene, which gives a sense of the space associated with light. Correggio has successfully shown the process of the shepherd’s animated conversation with the maid, as well as the moment where Mary experiences her first, most joyful motherly feelings.
• Titian’s “Dinarius of Caesar.” As noted, Titian was a disciple of Giorgione, and took his best skills from his mentor. This canvas deals with a biblical story in which a Pharisee tried to deceive Jesus. The purpose of the painting is not to depict the entire plot, but only to show the faces of the characters with their personal emotions and gestures, which is why the figures are depicted all over the canvas. The author is unsurpassed and in his own manner shows the true faces of the characters, their understanding of good and evil, honesty and falsity. Although the canvas is small, it always draws the eye and makes you think.

The Dresden Art Gallery holds a place of honor among the best museum complexes in the world. The National Picture Gallery, as its guides call it, brought together the works of famous and talented artists of the XIV-XVIII centuries.

It is not necessary to have an in-depth knowledge of the history of painting in advance: visitors in any case will be impressed by this gallery for a lifetime.

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