“Prints, drawings, and photographs.” That’s what comes to mind as we approach Kupferecke. It’s more formally known as the Kupferstich-Kabinett. This is a treasure trove of graphic arts right here in Dresden.
The Kupferstich-Kabinett is one of Dresden’s notable collections. Its roots go back to the Prince-electors of Saxony. Think back to around 1560. That’s when the art chamber of the House of Wettin was established. In 1720, it became an independent museum. It was specifically for prints and drawings.
The collection grew over the centuries. Today, the Kupferstich-Kabinett proudly calls itself the oldest museum of graphic arts. It holds this title in the German-speaking world.
Let’s jump ahead to World War II. The Kupferstich-Kabinett faced a perilous time. Thankfully, most of its precious items were moved to Schloss Weesenstein early in the war. This saved them from the bombing of Dresden in February 1945.
However, the Kupferstich-Kabinett still suffered significant losses. Around 50,000 items are still missing today. After the war, the Soviet Union looted most of the exhibits. These items didn’t return to Dresden until the late 1950s. When they did, they went back on display in the Albertinum.
Now, let’s talk about the collection itself. The Kupferstich-Kabinett boasts over 500,000 items. Only a small portion of these can be exhibited at any given time. You’ll find works by renowned artists. Lucas Cranach the Elder. Albrecht Dürer. Jan van Eyck. Francisco de Goya. Hans Holbein the Younger. Michelangelo. Rembrandt. And Rubens.
There are also many works by artists with strong ties to Dresden. Consider Caspar David Friedrich, Ludwig Richter, Georg Baselitz, and Johannes Heisig. The collection of Käthe Kollwitz is particularly noteworthy. It started in 1898. Now, it includes over 200 works from her oeuvre of drawings and graphics.
The Kupferstich-Kabinett isn’t just about its permanent collection. It also hosts regular special exhibitions. These feature both its own works and those on loan. They come from other notable museums.
The Kupferstich-Kabinett is also involved in provenance research. It is one of several German museums. These museums are researching the art collector Carl Heumann. He lived from 1886 to 1945. He built an important collection of prints. They were of German and Austrian art from the 18th and 19th centuries. He was persecuted because of his Jewish heritage under the Nazi regime. The Kupferstich-Kabinett has approached Carl Heumann’s descendants. The goal is to find a just and fair solution for the artworks from his collection.
Since 2004, the Kupferstich-Kabinett has been located in Dresden Castle. As you explore its exhibits, remember the journey this collection has taken. It survived wars, looting, and political upheaval. Yet, it remains a testament to the enduring power of art. A visit to the Kupferstich-Kabinett is like stepping into a world of artistic mastery. It offers a unique glimpse into centuries of creativity and innovation.