The Sistine Madonna and The Other Amazing Works at Zwinger

After spending the morning walking through the Old Town Dresden and getting the lay of the land, I decided to spend the afternoon enjoying the amazing Old Masters Picture Gallery in Zwinger Palace. Ever wonder where you can find those bored looking cherubs that have been created into many a meme? They’re here in Dresden and they’re not the only famous work on display.

If you’re looking for things to do in Dresden, a visit to Zwinger is no doubt on your list already. As one of the top 10 museums in all of Germany, it’s a must-see, just make sure you know what to see when you get there and why it’s important.

Zwinger Palace & Old Masters Picture Gallery, Dresden Old Town, Germany

The art collection at Zwinger Palace is amazing and when all of the stolen works are returned, it will be even more amazing. Get ready to learn all about it:

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Basic Info

Address: Theaterplatz 1, 01067 Dresden
Hours: Inner Courtyard and Outdoor Gallery: Every day: 6:00am ~ 10:00pm; Museums: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm
Art Museum Admission: Adults: €14.00; Under 17: Free

The Splendor of Zwinger Palace

The Zwinger Palace, commissioned by Friedrich I, was originally envisioned as a venue for court festivities. Over the centuries, it evolved into a cultural and intellectual hub, housing art collections, a library, an armory, a porcelain collection, a zoology museum, and the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments.

Friedrich I’s vision was to create a space that benefited nobility and court society, filling the palace gardens with exotic plants that added to its allure. You can walk through the gardens and surrounding area of the palace on your own just taking in the beautiful architecture and fountains.

Construction of the Zwinger Palace began in 1709, but it wasn’t until 1847 that the Semper Gallery, designed by Gottfried Semper, was added to the building. This extension marked the birth of the Old Masters Gallery, which now boasts masterpieces by renowned artists such as Raphael, Giorgione, Titian, Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Dürer, Cranach, Canaletto, and Silvestre.

So Much History In One Place

The origins of the Old Masters Gallery can be traced back to 1560 when Augustus, Elector of Saxony, founded the Kunstkammer, or Art Chamber. Initially, paintings played a subordinate role to scientific artifacts and curiosities. In fact, paintings and sculptures were originally considered lesser pieces of historical importance… can you imagine?

However, in the early 18th century, Augustus the Strong and his son began systematically collecting paintings. Their efforts transformed the collection, acquiring notable works from across Europe and culminating in the purchase of Raphael’s iconic Sistine Madonna in 1754. Due to their love and appreciate of art, the collection more than doubled in size.

By 1838, a gallery commission invited architect Gottfried Semper to design a new home for the collection that needed more space to be properly showcased. The Semper Gallery, completed in 1854, opened its doors as the Neues Königliches Museum, or the New Royal Museum, the following year.

War and Resilience

During our walking tour in the morning, the guide shared how all of the stunning artwork was saved during WWII. The gallery was closed in 1938, and most artworks were safely stored away nearby in the mountains. That’s not the end of the story though.

Post-war, many paintings were confiscated by the Red Army and transported to Moscow and Kiev. Thankfully, they returned to Dresden in 1955, and the gallery reopened in 1960 after extensive reconstruction. They didn’t all return though. There were actually a number of works missing and the museum even resorted to posting help wanted ads asking for the public to look for specific paintings. Surprise! They even got some back that way.

Of the over 500 missing paintings, pastel works and miniatures from the galleries listed in Hans Ebert’s 1963 catalogue of wartime losses, “Katalog der Kriegsverluste der Dresdener Gemäldegalerie”, 63 old masters were returned. But there are still over 400 missing and hopefully one day they’ll be returned.

Despite losses, the gallery still boasts an impressive collection, including the world’s largest assemblage of Cranach paintings and early Renaissance panels.

Masterpieces on Display

As you wander through the gallery, the color-coded walls guide you through various artistic epochs and regions. Italian masterpieces, set against deep red walls, draw you into the rich tapestry of Renaissance art. Green walls host the intricate works of Dutch and Flemish masters, while blue backgrounds highlight the elegance of 17th-century Spanish and French paintings.

Visiting Tip: If you want to see the must-see works in the Old Masters Pictures Gallery, go all the way up to the top floor first and work your way down. The most popular works are upstairs so if you’re short on time or have children who may not be as intrigued for hours, start there to see what you NEED TO SEE.

Notable works include Vermeer’s Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window, Rafael’s The Sistine Madonna, Rebrandt’s Ganymede, and Titian’s Zinsgroschen.

Fun Fact: August the Strong bought Rafael’s The Sistine Madonna for more than 100,000 francs and it initially hung in the throne room. It was claimed that the painting would put visitors into a state of religious ecstasy when they looked upon it.

Down To The Sculpture Hall

Hopefully, you’ve started at the top and worked your way down. If you did, now you’re in the Sculpture Hall. Originally designed to house the plaster casts from the Mengs Collection, today it has a vast collection of antiquities from 3000BCE to 500CE on display.

The collection is stunning and the museum is a comfortable place to take a walk, take a seat, and enjoy the views. It’s cozy and still home to some of the greatest masterpieces from the 15th to 18th century.

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