Small Compotier
St Andrew Service 1740 - 1745
Meissen Porcelain Manufactory, Germany
Porcelain; overglaze painting
Photo courtesy of Staatliche Kunstsammlungen, Dresden
|
Meissen for the Tsars
GERMANY
DRESDEN • Staatliche Kunstsammlungen • Ongoing
|
 |
True porcelain was always considered a symbol of wealth and good taste. Up until the 18th century, it was a great rarity in Europe. Porcelain was imported from China, its birthplace, where the secret of its manufacture was a closely guarded secret. In the 18th century, Europeans succeeded in unlocking the secrets of preparing this "white gold". The first porcelain factory in Europe was founded in 1710 in the city of Meissen, in Saxony. It belonged to Augustus III, the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland. Porcelain objects were more costly than gold and were available only to the wealthiest and most influential people - monarchs and their entourages.
The exhibition in Dresden is dedicated to Meissen porcelain which played a role of intermediary in Russian-Saxon relations during the 18th century. For the Saxon rulers of that age, ties with the Russian tsarist court were very important. They were allies in the Northern War (1700-1721) against Sweden. Diplomatic gifts were used to strengthen the political bonds linking Saxony and Russia. Moreover, the Elector of Saxony had something which no other European court could offer at that time: porcelain of his own manufacture.
The exhibition presents some 147 examples of Meissen porcelain coming mainly from the Hermitage collection.
Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Web Site
|
|
TRAVEL CALENDAR
