Unveiling the Teamwork behind Antwerp's Old Masters: A Dresden Spectacle
Antwerp's historical artworks in Dresden's collection are unveiling fresh perspectives - Insights uncovered concerning Antwerp's Artistic Elites in Dresden
Dive into the intriguing world of the Flemish masters of the 17th century, as the exhilarating exhibition at Dresden's Old Masters Picture Gallery sheds light on the little-known collaboration between renowned artists. The exhibition, titled "Teamwork in Antwerp!", showcases recently discovered research about the close-knit network of artists and their workshop partnerships. An overwhelming majority of the works are sourced directly from the Saxon State Art Collections (SKD), with only a handful of loans from external museums and private collections.
Bernd Ebert, the SKD's General Director, shares his excitement about the exhibition, stating, "There's a treasure trove of masterpieces to be discovered within our collections!" Until October 5, a fascinating display of 53 paintings, 28 drawings, and prints can be viewed in the Semper Building. Over half of the 49 Dresden paintings have remained hidden for decades. Several pieces from the Bruegel and Francken families' workshops are making their first public appearance, including works never exhibited before, as curator Uta Neidhardt reveals.
Neidhardt, who has spent years researching the Flemish painting collection, concentrates on the notable families Bruegel, van Balen, and Francken. These artists forged connections both within their families and with rivals, working together on cabinet paintings to cater to the demands of the prosperous middle class. The increasing desire for small-format landscapes, still lifes, biblical scenes, and mythological figure paintings prompted artists to focus on both efficiency and quality.
"Many treasures waiting to be revealed"
The exhibition emphasizes the abundance of hidden gems within the SKD's collections. General Director Ebert proclaims, "There are countless treasures waiting to be unearthed in our collections, and we have the expertise to showcase them at a world-class level!"
The masterpieces on display provide an enlightening look into the organized collaborative processes behind the works. Copies created by apprentices, students, or traveling artists can be challenging to differentiate from originals; they are, in essence, "alternative versions" of the original pieces, according to Neidhardt.
The restoration of "The Sermon of John the Baptist" by Pieter Bruegel the Elder forms part of the research project. This restoration can be observed in the exhibition, revealing it to be a noteworthy version of the well-known 36 repetitions of the original. Another captivating highlight is the scarcely seen and rarely displayed pen drawing "The Goose Herd," an assumed recurring theme in many paintings created by the artist housed in Dresden's Kupferstich-Kabinett.
- Dresden
- Antwerp
- Pieter Bruegel
- Artist
- Saxony
- Second World War
[1] Some Flemish masters worked together closely, relying on teamwork, cooperation, and artistic exchange rather than working in isolation.[2] The exhibition deepens the understanding of the creative processes and studio practices of Flemish Baroque artists in Antwerp.[3] The exhibition challenges the traditional view of individual genius by highlighting the collective creative efforts of the artists.[4] The focused, collaborative approach of these artists significantly influenced the production, style, and dissemination of Flemish Baroque art during this period.
-PagingThroughHistory
The exhibition, "Teamwork in Antwerp!", offers a captivating exploration of the closely knit network of artists in historical Antwerp, demonstrating how their teamwork, cooperation, and artistic exchange shaped the Flemish Baroque art during that period. Visitors can enjoy the lifestyle displayed through a burst of masterpieces from Pieter Bruegel and other artists, showcasing their fashion-and-beauty, books, and entertainment, sourced predominantly from the Saxon State Art Collections (SKD), with some loans from external museums and private collections.
In this enlightening display, one can witness numerous hidden gems, such as "The Sermon of John the Baptist" by Pieter Bruegel the Elder and the pen drawing "The Goose Herd", providing valuable insights into the collaborative creative process behind the works and challenging the conventional notion of individual genius in Flemish Baroque art history. The exhibition will be on view in Dresden until October 5, inviting guests to uncover the collective story that lies within these artistic congregations.
