In the Griine Gewolbe (Green Vault) of the Royal Palace, so called from the character of its original decorations, there is
an unequalled collection of precious stones, pearls and works of art in gold, silver, amber and ivory. The objects, which
are about 3000 in number, are arranged in eight rooms. They include the regalia of Augustus II. as king of Poland; the
electoral sword of Saxony; a group by Dinglinger, in gold and enamel, representing the court of the grand mogul
Aurungzebe, and consisting of 132 figures upon a plate of silver 4 ft. 4 in. square; the largest onyx known, 63 in. by 24
in.; a pearl representing the dwarf of Charles II. of Spain; and a green brilliant weighing 40 carats.
an unequalled collection of precious stones, pearls and works of art in gold, silver, amber and ivory. The objects, which
are about 3000 in number, are arranged in eight rooms. They include the regalia of Augustus II. as king of Poland; the
electoral sword of Saxony; a group by Dinglinger, in gold and enamel, representing the court of the grand mogul
Aurungzebe, and consisting of 132 figures upon a plate of silver 4 ft. 4 in. square; the largest onyx known, 63 in. by 24
in.; a pearl representing the dwarf of Charles II. of Spain; and a green brilliant weighing 40 carats.
Early in the 14th century it was restored to the Margrave of Meissen. On the division of Saxony in
1485, it fell to the Albertine line. In the 18th century, its medieval beginnings gave way to Baroque
masterpieces that made the city one of the outstanding urban centers of the Age of Enlightenment.
Under Augustus I. and Augustus II., Dresden was greatly expanded and enriched. Hoping to make
Dresden the most important royal residence, they imported many of the best architects and painters
from all over Europe. Their reign marked the beginning of Dresden's emergence as a leading center
of European culture for art and musical genius as well as technology.
1485, it fell to the Albertine line. In the 18th century, its medieval beginnings gave way to Baroque
masterpieces that made the city one of the outstanding urban centers of the Age of Enlightenment.
Under Augustus I. and Augustus II., Dresden was greatly expanded and enriched. Hoping to make
Dresden the most important royal residence, they imported many of the best architects and painters
from all over Europe. Their reign marked the beginning of Dresden's emergence as a leading center
of European culture for art and musical genius as well as technology.
The royal palace, or Georgenschloss, built in 1530-1535 by Duke George, was thoroughly restored, and in some
measure rebuilt between 1890 and 1902, in German Renaissance style. The Georgentor has been widened, and through
it, and beneath the royal apartments, vehicular traffic from the centre of the town is directed to the Augustusbrücke. The
whole is surmounted by a lofty tower- 387 ft.- the highest in Dresden. The interior is splendidly decorated. In the palace
chapel are pictures by Rembrandt, Nicolas Poussin, Guido Reni and Annibale Caracci. The adjoining Prinzen-Palais on
the Taschenberg, built in 1715, has a chapel in which are various works of S. Torelli; it has also a library of 20,000 books.
measure rebuilt between 1890 and 1902, in German Renaissance style. The Georgentor has been widened, and through
it, and beneath the royal apartments, vehicular traffic from the centre of the town is directed to the Augustusbrücke. The
whole is surmounted by a lofty tower- 387 ft.- the highest in Dresden. The interior is splendidly decorated. In the palace
chapel are pictures by Rembrandt, Nicolas Poussin, Guido Reni and Annibale Caracci. The adjoining Prinzen-Palais on
the Taschenberg, built in 1715, has a chapel in which are various works of S. Torelli; it has also a library of 20,000 books.
The acoustics in the domed structure with its 3,200 seats are said to
have been very good. In 1736, organ maker Gottfried Silbermann built
an organ with 48 registers and 2,667 organ pipes for the church. It was
dedicated on November 25, and Johann Sebastian Bach gave a recital
on it on December 1st. In 1733, when Bach was music director in
Leipzig, Elector Friedrich August I of Saxony died. The new elector,
Friedrich August II was to take his place in Dresden, and Bach took
this opportunity to obtain the favor of the new court and perhaps be
granted the title of court composer.
have been very good. In 1736, organ maker Gottfried Silbermann built
an organ with 48 registers and 2,667 organ pipes for the church. It was
dedicated on November 25, and Johann Sebastian Bach gave a recital
on it on December 1st. In 1733, when Bach was music director in
Leipzig, Elector Friedrich August I of Saxony died. The new elector,
Friedrich August II was to take his place in Dresden, and Bach took
this opportunity to obtain the favor of the new court and perhaps be
granted the title of court composer.
| Dresden. A Brief Background |
Dresden was often called the "German Florence". The rich architecture, art treasures, opera houses,
museums, churches and royal palaces rivaled none. Overlooking green hills, one viewed the valley of
the Elbe from Dresden to Meissen; The castle of Moritzburg, the hunting seat of the king of Saxony,
perched on an island in a nearby lake. Dresden had long attracted poets, philosophers, writers and
artists. In the 19th century, it was a center of German literature and musical Romanticism. Dresden
developed into an important location for the international sale of art and antiques. Through the
centuries, creative figures such as Goethe, Schiller, Wagner and Schumann flocked to Dresden.
museums, churches and royal palaces rivaled none. Overlooking green hills, one viewed the valley of
the Elbe from Dresden to Meissen; The castle of Moritzburg, the hunting seat of the king of Saxony,
perched on an island in a nearby lake. Dresden had long attracted poets, philosophers, writers and
artists. In the 19th century, it was a center of German literature and musical Romanticism. Dresden
developed into an important location for the international sale of art and antiques. Through the
centuries, creative figures such as Goethe, Schiller, Wagner and Schumann flocked to Dresden.
The Zwinger, begun in 1711, and built in the rococo style, forms an enclosure, within which is a statue of King Frederick
Augustus I. It was intended to be the vestibule to a palace, but now contains a number of collections of great value. Until
1846 it was open at the north side; but this space has since been occupied by the museum, a beautiful Renaissance
building, the exterior of which is adorned by statues of Michelangelo, Raphael, Giotto, Dante, Goethe and other artists
and poets by Rietschel and Hahnel, and it contains the famous gallery.
Augustus I. It was intended to be the vestibule to a palace, but now contains a number of collections of great value. Until
1846 it was open at the north side; but this space has since been occupied by the museum, a beautiful Renaissance
building, the exterior of which is adorned by statues of Michelangelo, Raphael, Giotto, Dante, Goethe and other artists
and poets by Rietschel and Hahnel, and it contains the famous gallery.
The Brühl palace, built in 1737 by Count Brühl, the minister of Augustus II., has been in some measure demolished to
make room for the new Standehaus (diet house), with its main facade facing the Hofkirche; before the main entrance there
is an equestrian statue (1906) of King Albert. Close by is the Briihl Terrace, approached by a fine flight of steps, on which
are groups by Schilling, representing Morning, Evening, Day and Night. The terrace commands a view of the Elbe and the
distant heights of Loschwitz and the Weisser Hirsch, but the prospect has of late years become somewhat marred, owing
to the extension of the town up the river and to the two new up-stream bridges.
make room for the new Standehaus (diet house), with its main facade facing the Hofkirche; before the main entrance there
is an equestrian statue (1906) of King Albert. Close by is the Briihl Terrace, approached by a fine flight of steps, on which
are groups by Schilling, representing Morning, Evening, Day and Night. The terrace commands a view of the Elbe and the
distant heights of Loschwitz and the Weisser Hirsch, but the prospect has of late years become somewhat marred, owing
to the extension of the town up the river and to the two new up-stream bridges.
The Japanese palace in the Neustadt, built in 1715 as a summer residence for Augustus II., receives its name from certain
oriental figures with which it is decorated; it is sometimes called the Augusteum and contains the royal library. Among
other buildings of note is the Hof theatre, a magnificent edifice in the Renaissance style, built after the designs of Semper,
to replace the theatre burnt in 1869, and completed in 1878. A new town hall of huge dimensions, also in German
Renaissance, with an octagon tower 400 ft. in height, stands on the former southern ramparts of the inner town.
oriental figures with which it is decorated; it is sometimes called the Augusteum and contains the royal library. Among
other buildings of note is the Hof theatre, a magnificent edifice in the Renaissance style, built after the designs of Semper,
to replace the theatre burnt in 1869, and completed in 1878. A new town hall of huge dimensions, also in German
Renaissance, with an octagon tower 400 ft. in height, stands on the former southern ramparts of the inner town.
In the Altstadt the most striking of the newer edifices is the Kunstakademie, constructed from designs by Lipsius in the
Italian Renaissance style, 1890-1894. The Albertinum, formerly the arsenal, built in 1559-1563, was rebuilt 1884-1889,
and fitted up as a museum of oriental and classical antiquities, and as the depository of the state archives. On the right
bank of the Elbe in Neustadt stand the fine buildings of the ministries of war, of finance, justice, the interior and education.
Italian Renaissance style, 1890-1894. The Albertinum, formerly the arsenal, built in 1559-1563, was rebuilt 1884-1889,
and fitted up as a museum of oriental and classical antiquities, and as the depository of the state archives. On the right
bank of the Elbe in Neustadt stand the fine buildings of the ministries of war, of finance, justice, the interior and education.
Besides the two royal theatres, Dresden possesses several minor theatres
and music halls. The pride of place in the world of music is held by the
orchestra attached to the court theatre. Founded by Augustus II., it has
become famous throughout the world, owing to the masters who have from
time to time been associated with it - such as Pair, Weber, Reissiger and
Wagner. Symphony and popular concerts are held throughout the year in
various public halls, and, during the winter, concerts of church music are
frequently given in the Protestant Kreuzand Frauen-Kirchen, and on
Sundays in the Roman Catholic church. (end)
and music halls. The pride of place in the world of music is held by the
orchestra attached to the court theatre. Founded by Augustus II., it has
become famous throughout the world, owing to the masters who have from
time to time been associated with it - such as Pair, Weber, Reissiger and
Wagner. Symphony and popular concerts are held throughout the year in
various public halls, and, during the winter, concerts of church music are
frequently given in the Protestant Kreuzand Frauen-Kirchen, and on
Sundays in the Roman Catholic church. (end)
The latter is composed chiefly of objects removed from the churches in consequence of the Reformation. Near the
château is the zoological garden, formed in 1860, and excellently arranged. Dresden owes a large part of its fame to its
extensive artistic, literary and scientific collections. Of these the most valuable is its splendid picture gallery, founded by
Augustus I. and increased by his successors at great cost. It is in the museum, and contains about 2500 pictures, being
especially rich in specimens of the Italian, Dutch and Flemish schools. The gem of the collection is Raphael's "Madonna di
San Sisto," for which a room is set apart. There is also a special room for the "Madonna" of the younger Holbein. Besides
the picture gallery the museum includes a magnificent collection of engravings and drawings. There are upwards of
400,000 specimens, arranged in twelve classes, so as to mark the great epochs in the history of art. A collection of casts,
likewise in the museum, is designed to display the progress of plastic art from the time of the Egyptians and Assyrians to
modern ages. This collection was begun by Raphael Mengs, who secured casts of the most valuable antiques in Italy, l
'some of which no longer exist. The Japanese palace contains a public library of more than 400,000 volumes, with about
3000 MSS. and 20,000 maps. It is especially rich in the ancient classics, and in works bearing on literary history and the
history of Germany, Poland and France. There are also a valuable cabinet of coins and a collection of ancient works of
art. A collection of porcelain in the "Museum Johanneum" (which once contained the picture gallery) is made up of
specimens of Chinese, Japanese, East Indian, Sevres and Meissen manufacture, carefully arranged in chronological order.
château is the zoological garden, formed in 1860, and excellently arranged. Dresden owes a large part of its fame to its
extensive artistic, literary and scientific collections. Of these the most valuable is its splendid picture gallery, founded by
Augustus I. and increased by his successors at great cost. It is in the museum, and contains about 2500 pictures, being
especially rich in specimens of the Italian, Dutch and Flemish schools. The gem of the collection is Raphael's "Madonna di
San Sisto," for which a room is set apart. There is also a special room for the "Madonna" of the younger Holbein. Besides
the picture gallery the museum includes a magnificent collection of engravings and drawings. There are upwards of
400,000 specimens, arranged in twelve classes, so as to mark the great epochs in the history of art. A collection of casts,
likewise in the museum, is designed to display the progress of plastic art from the time of the Egyptians and Assyrians to
modern ages. This collection was begun by Raphael Mengs, who secured casts of the most valuable antiques in Italy, l
'some of which no longer exist. The Japanese palace contains a public library of more than 400,000 volumes, with about
3000 MSS. and 20,000 maps. It is especially rich in the ancient classics, and in works bearing on literary history and the
history of Germany, Poland and France. There are also a valuable cabinet of coins and a collection of ancient works of
art. A collection of porcelain in the "Museum Johanneum" (which once contained the picture gallery) is made up of
specimens of Chinese, Japanese, East Indian, Sevres and Meissen manufacture, carefully arranged in chronological order.
From a description of Dresden in a 1911 Encyclopedia:
The royal palace also has a gallery of arms consisting of more than 2000 weapons of artistic or historical value. In the
Zwinger are the zoological and mineralogical museums and a collection of instruments used in mathematical and physical
science. Among other collections is that of the Korner museum with numerous reminiscences of the Goethe-Schiller
epoch, and of the wars of liberation (1813-15), and containing valuable manuscripts and relics.
Zwinger are the zoological and mineralogical museums and a collection of instruments used in mathematical and physical
science. Among other collections is that of the Korner museum with numerous reminiscences of the Goethe-Schiller
epoch, and of the wars of liberation (1813-15), and containing valuable manuscripts and relics.
Dresden suffered repeated destruction: by fire in 1491, from the
French under Napoleon, from bombardment by Prussia in 1760
and during the suppression of the constitutionalist May Uprising
in 1849. For most of the 19th century and until 1918, the city
was the capital of the Kingdom of Saxony. It had also become a
major center of industry in the 19th century. The worst fate that
befell the old city by far, however, was the intentional Allied
bombing in February 1945 which unnecessarily pulverized it.
French under Napoleon, from bombardment by Prussia in 1760
and during the suppression of the constitutionalist May Uprising
in 1849. For most of the 19th century and until 1918, the city
was the capital of the Kingdom of Saxony. It had also become a
major center of industry in the 19th century. The worst fate that
befell the old city by far, however, was the intentional Allied
bombing in February 1945 which unnecessarily pulverized it.
Monks gave Dresden its start by establishing a
missionary settlement there in the 11th century.
The city itself was originally founded around 1206
and became the capital of Heinrich the Illustrious,
Margrave of Meissen, in 1270. After his death,
Wenceslaus of Bohemia took possession, followed
by the Margrave of Brandenburg.
missionary settlement there in the 11th century.
The city itself was originally founded around 1206
and became the capital of Heinrich the Illustrious,
Margrave of Meissen, in 1270. After his death,
Wenceslaus of Bohemia took possession, followed
by the Margrave of Brandenburg.
Dresden's Frauenkirche was built for use as a Lutheran cathedral. Saxony's Augustus the Strong
made 28,000 Taler available to the new church from a collection for the Salzburger emigrants who
passed on through to Prussian lands. The original baroque church was built between 1726 and 1743
and was designed by Dresden's city architect George Bähr (1666-1738), one of the greatest masters
of German Baroque style, who did not live to see the completion of his greatest work.
made 28,000 Taler available to the new church from a collection for the Salzburger emigrants who
passed on through to Prussian lands. The original baroque church was built between 1726 and 1743
and was designed by Dresden's city architect George Bähr (1666-1738), one of the greatest masters
of German Baroque style, who did not live to see the completion of his greatest work.
Known as the "Stone Bell," the distinctive dome of the Frauenkirche rose above Dresden for over
200 years until both the church and the famous organ were destroyed in the firebombing of Dresden
by the British and Americans. The church has been recently rebuilt.
200 years until both the church and the famous organ were destroyed in the firebombing of Dresden
by the British and Americans. The church has been recently rebuilt.
The French blowing up a Dresden bridge.
The chief pleasure-ground of Dresden is the Grosser Garten, in which there are a summer theatre, the Reitschel museum,
and a chateau containing a museum of antiquities.
and a chateau containing a museum of antiquities.
Bach presented the new Catholic elector with a new composition, a
setting of the Missa, containing a Kyrie and Gloria. This Missa was
performed in 1733 in Dresden, and in 1736, Bach was finally granted
the title of "Hofkoponist" at the Dresden court. Bach would later use
this Missa as the first major section of his famous Mass in B-minor.
setting of the Missa, containing a Kyrie and Gloria. This Missa was
performed in 1733 in Dresden, and in 1736, Bach was finally granted
the title of "Hofkoponist" at the Dresden court. Bach would later use
this Missa as the first major section of his famous Mass in B-minor.