Art from Antwerp: How masters created great works together!

Art from Antwerp: How masters created great works together!

The art-historical heritage of the city of Antwerp in the 17th century is flourishing - and twice as much! In an exciting new exhibition organized by the Saxon Art Collections Dresden (SKD), the memories of the great masters of this time come to life. Antwerp was once a vibrant center for artists such as the famous Bruegels, van Balens and Franckens. Thanks to collaboration in cross-generational workshops, remarkable works of art were created, as the teamwork now impressively illustrates in the exhibition. Bernd Ebert, General Director of the SKD, emphasizes the valuable exchange of talents between the painters, which shapes their creative work. Despite the competition, artists often worked closely together to support and learn from each other. This collaboration was not just a question of sympathy, but also made more than sense for economic reasons and the expertise of the individual painters.

A special highlight of the exhibition is a large-format city view that shows the artists' homes and work locations and illustrates the close partnership within this creative community. Over half of the paintings on display come from the art collections depot and have not been on display since the Second World War. Some of these works surprised restorers when they discovered that several painters had worked on them together. A particularly impressive piece is a copy after Pieter Bruegel the Elder, which has been restored and impresses with its high quality - it has been placed in the front row of repetitions.

Restoration projects bring back ancient heritage

Another fascinating aspect of the exhibition is the recent restoration projects that keep the cultural heritage alive. Among other things, panel paintings from the renowned Cranach workshop and by Heinrich Vogtherr the Elder were included. Ä. elaborately restored. These works are part of a cycle commissioned by Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg. The central panel of the Magdalene Altar underwent a thorough examination and restoration after it had been exhibited in the Aschaffenburg Collegiate Church for a long time. The stress crack, caused by a weak point in the wood, was treated with great skill - from spotting the crack to cleaning the image surfaces and applying new retouches to restore the original colors.

The panel paintings depicting the Passion of Christ are an impressive heritage that has not only artistic value but also historical value. The Cranach workshop was responsible for the design of 16 changing altars with a total of 142 panels, which illustrates the immense creative achievement of this time. The restoration measures have brought back the original appeal of the panels and show once again how important the care and preservation of such works of art are for future generations.

Artistic encounter and knowledge transfer

Such art projects not only offer a look at times gone by, they are also a platform for exchanging ideas about current topics in the field of art restoration. In the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin, for example, lectures on the restoration of well-known works such as Caspar David Friedrich's “Monk by the Sea” recently took place. Here, the transfer of knowledge between experts and interested parties is promoted and new insights into techniques and materials that are important in art history are created.

Overall, it should be noted that the exhibition in Dresden not only honors the masterpieces of the past, but also shows how lively and dynamic art history can be. It reflects the artists' passionate collaboration and provides a deep insight into the artistic practices of past eras.