dresden royal palace - Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

rear side:
19 View of the Residenzschloss (c) SKD, photo: D. Brandt
20 Princes’ Gallery (c) SKD, photo: D. Brandt
21 English Staircase (c) SKD, photo: D. Brandt
22 Hausmann Tower (c) SKD, photo: M. Förster
23 Palace Chapel (c) SKD, photo: D. Brandt
24 Art Library (c) SKD, photo: Garbe
25 Study Hall of the Kupferstich-Kabinett (c) SKD, photo: H. Boswank
8 Rüstkammer im Riesensaal
Photo credits: title page (top left to bottom right):
The large three-masted tent. Ottoman. 17th cent. (c) SKD, RK, photo: D. Brandt
The Household of the Grand Moghul Aureng-Zeb (detail). J. M. Dinglinger. Dresden 1701-1708 (c) SKD, GG,
photo: D. Brandt
Box with an Allegory of Philosophy. Wenzel Jamnitzer. Nuremberg. 1562 (c) SKD, GG, photo: N. Millauer
Charlotte Rudolph. Palucca with double shadow. Before 1925 (c) SKD, KK, photo: H. Boswank
Ornate suit of armour. Eliseus Libaerts. Antwerp. c.1562 (c) SKD, RK, photo: J. Karpinski
Shop
Café
Audio guides
2 Englische Treppe
1 Historisches Grünes Gewölbe
Besucherzentrum Art & Info
Information
Cloakroom
Information
Toiletten
Besucherzentrum
art & info
Toilets
Ticket sales
Stairs
Lift
Aufgang
Shop
Aufgang
Audioguides
Stairs
5
4
Garderobe
3
Kasse
6 Art Library
Aufzug
2 English Staircase
1 Historisches Grünes Gewölbe
Entrance
Taschenberg
Lift
Aufzug
10 Kupferstich-Kabinett
Photo credits: inside page (top left to bottom right):
1 Sea Unicorn as a Drinking Vessel. Elias Geyer. Leipzig. c.1600 (c) SKD, GG, photo: J. Karpinski
2 Historisches Grünes Gewölbe. Jewel Room. Moor with Emerald Cluster (c) SKD, GG, photo: J. Karpinski
3 Historisches Grünes Gewölbe. View of the Corner Cabinet (c) SKD, GG, photo: D. Brandt
4 Historisches Grünes Gewölbe. View of the Hall of Precious Objects (c) SKD, GG, photo: D. Brandt
5 Piet Mondrian. Design for a Room for Ida Bienert. Worm’s Eye View. 1926 (c) SKD, KK, photo: H.-P. Klut
6 Hans Holbein the Younger. Portrait of Charles de Solier, Sieur de Morette. 1534/35 (c) SKD, KK, photo: Estel/Klut
7 Field armour. c.1680 (c) SKD, photo: D. Brandt
8 3 dagger hilts. Ottoman. Mid-16th cent. (c) SKD, RK, photo: Estel / Klut
9 Horse trappings (part of a garniture of ornate weapons). Johann Michael. Prague. 1610-1612 (c) SKD, RK, photo: D. Brandt
10 Detail of the foot tourney group – the Giants’ Hall in the Palace (c) SKD, RK, photo: D. Brandt
11 Pairof wheel-lock pistols, 1580-1600, (c) SKD, RK
12 Ceremonial armour for man and horse made for King Erik XIV of Sweden. Eliseus Libaerts. 1560-1564 (c) SKD, RK,
photo: J. Karpinski
13 Daphne as a drinking vessel. Abraham Jamnitzer. Nuremberg. Late 16th cent. (c) SKD, GG, photo: J. Karpinski
14 Dinglinger Hall with the Golden Coffee Service (c) SKD, GG, photo: N. Millauer
15 Cherry stone with 185 carved heads. Germany before 1589 (c) SKD, GG, photo: J. Karpinski
16 Tetradrachma. c.323 BCE - c.320 BCE (c) SKD, MK, photo: J. Karpinski
17 Coins, medals and orders of merit from Antiquity to the present day (c) SKD, MK, photo: J. Karpinski
18 Small courtyard (c) SKD, photo: D. Brandt
Lift– Sonderausstellungen
7 Paraderäume
Fürstengalerie
6 Türckische Cammer
Hans-Nadler-Saal
Stairs
Kunstbibliothek
9
(lecture
hall)
2 Neues
5 Hans-Nadler-Hall
Grünes Gewölbe
8
4 Princes’ Gallery
7
3 NEUES GRÜNES GEWÖLBE
Lift
9 Studiensaal des Kupferstich-Kabinett
State Apartments – special exhibitions
Stairs
Rüstkammer in the Giants’ Hall
11 Study hall of the Kupferstich-Kabinett
TÜRCKISCHE CAMMER
10 KUPFERSTICH-KABINETT (special exhibitions)
Visitor centre
ART & INFO
Entrance
Schlossstrasse
Kleiner
Schlosshof
HISTORISCHES GRÜNES GEWÖLBE
(timed ticket) 12 EUR
Kleiner
Schlosshof
Kleiner
Schlosshof
5
Kleiner
Schlosshof
7
4
11
2
1
Grosser
Schlosshof
3
Grosser
Schlosshof
9
Grosser
Schlosshof
10
Grosser
Schlosshof
8
ART LIBRARY
10 am – 6 pm, closed on Saturdays and Sundays
Schlosskapelle
OPENING HOURS
MUSEUMS in the RESIDENZSCHLOSSS
10 am – 6 pm, closed on Tuesdays
3. OG
1. OG
GROUND FLOOR
ADMISSION to the Dresden Royal Palace
incl. the Damascus Room in the Japanisches Palais
(except the Historisches Grünes Gewölbe)
12 EUR, concessions 9 EUR
Groups (10 or more persons) 11 EUR p.p.
Free admission for children and adolescents up to 17 years
ART & INFO VISITOR CENTRE
Daily 10 am – 6 pm
Entrance
Hausmannsturm
EG
DAY TICKET 19 EUR
For all museums of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
(except the Historisches Grünes Gewölbe)
Combi-ticket 21 EUR
Residenzschloss and Historisches Grünes Gewölbe
6
Entrance
Sophienstrasse
VISITOR INFORMATION
and reservation of guided tours
Tel.: 0351 / 4914 20 - 00, Fax: - 01
E-mail: [email protected]
www.skd.museum
1 st floor
2 nd floor
ENTRANCES to the Dresden Royal Palace (barrier-free)
Sophienstraße, Taschenberg and Schlossstraße
3 rd floor
INFORMATION FOR VISITORS
As at: January 2014 (subject to alterations)
Dresden
Royal Palace
G r ü nes G e w ö l b e
K up f erstich - K a b inet T
R ü stkammer
H ausmannsturm
RESIDENZSCHLOSS DRESDEN
The former electoral and royal palace, the Residenzschloss, located
in the heart of the city centre, was the starting point of Dresden’s
art collections. From 1485 onwards it was always the official residence of the rulers of Saxony. Its present architectural appearance
was determined in the mid-16th century and during the reign of
August the Strong. Despite being altered and modernised during
the 20th century it retained its High Renaissance character.
In the decades following its destruction in the Second World War
it was successfully protected against plans to demolish it and now
it is being rebuilt as a »Residenz der Kunst und Wissenschaft«
(Palace of the Arts and Sciences). Several of the collections of the
Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden have already moved into
the palace, thus building upon the rich cultural heritage of the
Residenzschloss. These museums include the famous Historisches
Grünes Gewölbe and Neues Grünes Gewölbe, the KupferstichKabinett, the Münzkabinett and the Rüstkammer. In addition,
the palace houses the Art Library, lecture theatres and publicly
accessible Study Halls.
The opening of the Rüstkammer exhibition in the imposing Riesensaal (Giants’ Hall) in 2013 was, for now at least, the last high
point on the palace’s way to becoming the cultural focal point of
the city. The faithful recreation of the Audience Chamber and
other magnificent rooms of August the Strong will mark the completion of the Residenzschloss.
THE PRINCES’ GALLERY
The Princes’ Gallery (Fürstengalerie) on the first floor contains the portraits of the Saxon Electors and Kings from the
House of Wettin, Albertine Line, who formerly resided in the
palace – starting with Elector Moritz (1521 – 1553) down to
King Friedrich August III (1865 – 1932), who abdicated in
1918. The Electors, and also a few Electresses, are depicted in
painted portraits, whereas the Kings of Saxony are represented
in portrait busts.
THE ENGLISH STAIRCASE
The English Staircase (Englische Treppe) was constructed as the
Grand Staircase by Johann Georg Starcke in 1692 and was originally reserved for the Saxon royal family and their guests. In
1693 it was renamed the English Staircase when Elector Johann
Georg IV was appointed a Knight of the Garter by the English
envoy Sir William Swan. Following its destruction in the palace
fire in 1701, it was rebuilt in 1717 according to architectural
plans drawn up by Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann. In the Second
World War the staircase was again almost completely destroyed.
The reconstruction of the Neo-Baroque version dating from
1895 was completed in 2010. Since then, the English Staircase
has again been the main staircase of the Residenzschloss.
THE HAUSMANN TOWER
With its total height of 100.27 metres, the Hausmann Tower
(Hausmannsturm) is one of Dresden’s highest buildings. The
platform at a height of 39 metres is an ideal place from which
to survey the construction work going on in the palace complex.
THE PALACE CHAPEL
The chapel of Dresden’s Residenzschloss was the second place
of worship built for divine services following the Lutheran Reformation, after that constructed in Torgau. From the mid-16th
until the late 17th century, the Dresden Palace Chapel (Schlosskapelle) was the spiritual and musical centre of the Electorate
of Saxony. In accordance with its rank as the court chapel of
the Saxon Elector and head of the Lutheran imperial estates, it
was adorned with exceptionally splendid sculptures and painted
decoration. Of its architectural structure, the Renaissance portal completed in 1556 has survived. After August the Strong’s
conversion to Catholicism, the chapel lost its religious significance. In 1737 it was pulled down and replaced by administrative offices. Its elaborate vault was also destroyed. In 1988/89
the original cubature of the chapel was recreated. The masterful reconstruction of the complex rib vaulting was carried out
between 2010 and 2013.
THE ART LIBRARY
The Kunstbibliothek (Art Library) is the central academic
library of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden and provides international researchers with an extremely important
repository of knowledge located in the heart of Dresden. The
library currently holds around 260,000 volumes. Its holdings
are closely related to the character of the museum collections.
It therefore contains specialist literature on art history that is
rarely available in other libraries. Its core consists of a rich and
varied collection of artist monographs and exhibition catalogues from all over the world.
THE STUDY HALL
The Study Hall (Studiensaal) offers all visitors – both professionals and interested members of the public – the opportunity to study original works held in the Kupferstich-Kabinett
even when they are not on display in special exhibitions. For
conservational reasons, particularly sensitive items can only be
viewed with the consent of the Director. For security reasons, an
identity card must be presented and the visitor’s details recorded in the visitors’ book. Visits are free of charge.
ART NEEDS FRIENDS
Visiting exhibitions together, meeting like-minded people and
promoting the purchasing of art – that is how friendships can
begin. Visit the museums whenever you like. As a member you
will have free admission.
www.freunde-skd.de
Historisches Grünes Gewölbe
Türckische Cammer
With his treasure chamber in the Historisches Grünes Gewölbe (Historic Green Vault), created between 1723 and
1730, August the Strong realised his vision of a Baroque gesamtkunstwerk, or synthesis of the arts, as an expression of
wealth and absolutist power. Following extensive renovation
and partial reconstruction, the historic complex of rooms has
now been restored to its former glory. In keeping with the lavish architecture, well over 2500 works of art are now on view
there, presented without showcases in front of mirrored display walls or on ornate tables.
The Türckische Cammer (Turkish Chamber) is one of the oldest and most important collections of Ottoman art anywhere
in the world outside Turkey. Thanks to their aesthetic tastes,
their passion for collecting and their desire for princely prestige,
the electors of Saxony between the 16th and the 19th century
gathered together a wealth of treasures associated with the fashion for ‘turquerie’.
A tour of the rooms takes you through the Amber Cabinet, the
Ivory Room, the White Silver Room and the Silver Gilt Room
into the Hall of Precious Objects. Here, where the individual
works of art recede behind the sumptuous setting, the tour
reaches its first climax. The impressive effect of the precious
vessels made of colourful gemstones, rock crystal, sea snails
and ostrich eggs is intensified by the numerous reflections.
Through a wrought-iron grille you can view the Corner Cabinet – the most intimate room in the collection, containing the
small precious items of which August the Strong was so fond.
Another highlight is the Jewel Room. This room with its
back-painted and gilded mirror walls gives the impression of
entering a precious jewellery box. It holds the jewel garnitures
of August the Strong and his son, which comprise a unique
collection of 18th-century prestigious royal jewellery. In order
to protect the precious objects in the »Historisches Grünes
Gewölbe« visitors have to pass through a double-door system.
This precaution, along with the intimate scale of the museum,
means that the number of visitors at any one time has to be
restricted. Admission is therefore regulated by means of timed
tickets.
Kupferstich-Kabinett
Dresden’s Kupferstich-Kabinett (Cabinet of Prints, Drawings
and Photographs) is one of the world’s most important and
oldest collections of works on paper. Its significance is due to
the high quality and unique character of his holdings: artistic
drawings, watercolours, gouaches, etchings, lithographies, engravings, photographs, illustrated books and portfolios.
The wealth of the collection is utterly incalculable, featuring
works by the most famous artists of numerous countries, more
than 500,000 works by over 20,000 artists from eight centuries, including Van Eyck, Dürer, Michelangelo, Rembrandt and
Caspar David Friedrich down to Toulouse-Lautrec, Picasso and
many contemporary artists.
During the reign of Elector August the Strong, Saxon admiration for the Ottoman Empire reached its absolute climax. The
Elector of Saxony and later King of Poland frequently dressed
up as the Sultan in court festivities and also sent his adjutant
Johann Georg Spiegel to Constantinople in order to purchase
exotic wares. Furthermore, he imported camels and Arabian
horses with ornate bridles specifically for his Baroque festivals
at the Dresden court. The largest object in the Türckische Cammer, which opened in 2010, is an Ottoman three-masted tent
– a 20 metre long, 8 metre wide and 6 metre high dream in gold
and silk. Only in Dresden is it possible for visitors to enter such
a tent and examine the supreme craftsmanship of Ottoman textile artists at close quarters.
Among the other highlights are eight life-size carved wooden
horses. Each of these Arabian stallions, which weigh around 150
kg and are magnificently fitted out with ceremonial horse trappings, is unique and has been custom-made in accordance with
historical records. Another unique feature of the exhibition is the
group of Ottoman reflex bows still with their original strings, the
oldest of which dates back to the year 1586, as well as four folding
drinking flagons made of leather. Altogether more than 600 objects exhibited in an area covering 750 square metres illustrate the
magnificent abundance of the Türckische Cammer.
Objects from the museum’s own holdings along with loans from
international partners are presented in changing exhibitions in
the two exhibition rooms in the Residenzschloss. In addition,
students and art lovers can view originals in the publicly accessible Study Hall; it is advisable to book in advance if you wish to
take advantage of this opportunity.
Riesensaal
Münzkabinett
Since the opening of the new Riesensaal (Giants’ Hall), the
Palace has been augmented by this recreated magnificent hall
– 280 years after the original ceased to exist in 1733. The Riesensaal is a superb setting for a selection of objects from one of
the world’s richest collections of ceremonial weapons, armour
and costumes: the Dresden Rüstkammer.
Coins, medals and banknotes bear important testimony to historical events. The broad spectrum of the Münzkabinett (Coin
Cabinet) extends from Antiquity to the present day. With an
impressive collection of around 300,000 objects, it is one of
Germany’s largest universal collections of European significance. In addition, more than 30,000 Saxon coins and medals
represent important periods of the history of Saxony. As well
as coins and medals, the collection also includes orders of merit
and badges of honour, banknotes, historic securities, models,
seals, coin and medal dies, and minting equipment.
The exhibition presents more than 380 objects, including tournament and ceremonial weapons. Focusing particularly on the
Saxon court, the displays demonstrate the various types of tournament that were held and illustrate the splendour of the Electors. At 57 metres long and 13 metres wide, the monumental
scale of the Riesensaal allows the Rüstkammer not only to exhibit a selection of its most important arms and armour dating
from the late 15th to the 17th century but also to present these
in ways that show how they were actually used.
Originally intended as training for military combat, from the
end of the 15th century tournaments played a significant role
as an element of court ceremonial and festivities. Using unique
weapons, tournament swords, lances and armour, three major
types of tournament are recreated: jousting with sharp lances,
tilting and the foot tourney. A selection of paintings commissioned by Christian I (1560–1591) in honour of his father Elector August of Saxony (1526–1586), give an authentic depiction
of these events.
The Münzkabinett is currently preparing its new permanent
exhibition, which will be displayed in the Georgenbau. On
Wednesdays it is possible, subject to prior arrangement, to visit
the specialist library containing 32,000 volumes and to use the
Study Hall.
Neues Grünes Gewölbe
The first section of Dresden’s famous treasure chamber, the
Neues Grünes Gewölbe (New Green Vault), returned to the rebuilt Palace in 2004. Located on the first floor of the west wing,
the exhibition contains more than 1000 objects of inestimable
value and beauty dating from three centuries.
In ten rooms, numerous major works of the collection, including the unique cabinet pieces created by the Dresden court
jeweller Dinglinger, such as the Golden Coffee Set and the Royal
Household of the Grand Moghul, the exceptionally precious hat
clasp with the Green Diamond, and the cherry stone described in
the inventory as being carved »with 185 faces«. In addition to
the fascinating precious objects in gold, silver, enamel and gemstones, there are also unusual items made of mother-of-pearl,
coconuts and ivory, such as the frigate with its wafer-thin sails.
Showcases fitted with anti-glare glass and state-of-the-art lighting focus attention on the individual works of art and allow
every detail to be examined close up.