Raphael's 'Sistine Madonna' was acquired by Augustus III in 1754 for the significant sum of 20,000 ducats.
The Gallery contains one of the world's most significant collections of works by Lucas Cranach the Elder.
Vermeer's 'Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window' underwent an X-ray analysis revealing an overpainted Cupid on the back wall, which was later uncovered during restoration.
The collection was evacuated to the Soviet Union following the bombing of Dresden in 1945 and returned to the GDR in 1955.
Bernardo Bellotto, known as Canaletto, produced his famous vedute of Dresden specifically for the Saxon court, which are now housed here.
The gallery holds the largest collection of paintings by Anton Raphael Mengs.
The Semperbau building was designed to serve as an art gallery, making it one of the earliest purpose-built museum structures in Germany.
The Old Masters Picture Gallery (Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister) is housed in the Semperbau wing of the Zwinger palace complex in Dresden. Its core collection originated from the art acquisitions of the Electors of Saxony, particularly Augustus the Strong and his son. The gallery is internationally recognized for its extensive holdings of Italian Renaissance and 17th-century Dutch and Flemish painting. Major works include Raphael’s 'Sistine Madonna', Vermeer’s 'Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window', and Giorgione’s 'Sleeping Venus'. The collection features roughly 750 paintings displayed within the 19th-century architecture of Gottfried Semper. The museum underwent an extensive multi-year renovation, reopening its permanent exhibition with a redesigned layout in 2020. The spatial arrangement focuses on the interaction between architectural proportions and the hanging of the paintings. Visitors can explore works spanning from the 15th to the 18th centuries.
The central tapestry hall which offers a symmetrical view of the grand interior and classic gallery hanging style.
Focus on the 'Sistine Madonna' early in the day as this specific hall tends to congregate larger crowds.
Use the audio guide to understand the specific historical context of the royal collection's formation.
Look for the smaller, less crowded cabinets to view the Dutch Golden Age paintings in a more intimate setting.
Attempting to see the entire collection in one visit; focus on a specific era or school of painting to avoid 'museum fatigue'.
Closed on Mondays.
Photography without flash is permitted for private use; large bags and umbrellas must be stored in provided lockers.
