The Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister : The Old Masters Gallery

Posted by Amanda Hadley

The Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister is a museum in Dresden, Germany that translates to Old Masters Gallery. They display 750 pieces from the 15^th through the 18^th century, including Italian, French, Spanish, and Dutch painters. Since the building is currently under renovations, they are only showing a small exhibition of about fifty-five pieces on the ground floor.

In the 18^th century Augustus II and his son, Frederick Augustus II, began to collect pieces of art over a sixty year period, but it was not until they received the large assortment of art from the Duke of Modena that their collection became quite substantial. These paintings were originally held in Dresden castle and received European fame for its prestigious pieces. Soon art from all over the continent was added, making it one of the most famous collections of the Old Masters in Northern Europe, and a prototype for modern museums in the late 18^th century. The building that currently holds these priceless acquisitions, the Semper Gallery, was opened in 1855. During World War II, the museum was closed and suffered significant losses while being raided by the Red Army. Although some of that art has been returned, there are still some that have never been recovered. The gallery was also damaged by much of the bombing and is in the process of being restored.

Some of the famous pieces that are included in their collection are The Prodigal Son in the Tavern by Rembrandt and Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window by Johannes Vermeer. The museum contains many pieces from Van Eyck, Dürer, Holbein, Rubens, Poussin, Claude Lorrain, Murillo – from the early Renaissance to the Enlightenment inside its vast halls. It is most well-known of it Renaissance artworks, especially from Rembrandt himself. This museum should be on any art lovers list of places to visit.

Here at overstockArt.com, we try to provide the same high quality art that could be found in such a museum. Spend time looking through the masters that we offer, especially in our Renaissance gallery. you will find many beautiful pieces that would add elegance to any room in your home.

About the Author Amanda Hadley

Amanda graduated from the University of Kansas, where she studied English literature and got a masters degree in library sciences. She enjoys reading, cooking and playing with her nephews. Her best friend is her little dog Brady.

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