Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden is a cultural institution in Dresden, Germany, owned by the State of Saxony. It is one of the most renowned and oldest museum institutions in the world, originating from the collections of the Saxon electors in the 16th century. Today, the Dresden State Art Collections consists of fifteen museums. Most of them are located in the Dresden Castle, the Zwinger and the Albertinum.
History
The museums belonging to the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden originated from the collections of the Saxon electors, several of whom were also Kings of Poland. Historical sources show that August I, Elector of Saxony, founded the electoral Kunstkammer in 1560, a collection of art located in the Dresden Castle. August the Strong and his son, August III, Kings of Poland, were important patrons and remarkable connoisseurs of the arts. They developed their art collections in a systematic fashion; in the process, they not only provided a foundation of extraordinary masterpieces for the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, but also made these works accessible to select circles in their own time. The Staatliche Kunstsammlungen has been a state-owned enterprise since January 1, 2009. The association includes twelve museums which operate independently within the context of their own collection, but all share various institutions and facilities as well as a central administration.
Museums
Twelve museums belong to the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.
Museum für Sächsische Volkskunst and Puppentheatersammlung, Jägerhof
Further institutions, such as the Kunstbibliothek, the Kunstfonds and the Gerhard Richter Archiv also belong to the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.
The museums of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen are housed in six buildings. With the exception of Pillnitz Castle, they are all located in the historic center of Dresden. Dresden Castle houses the Historic Green Vault and the New Green Vault, the Numismatic Cabinet, the Collection of Prints, Drawings and Photographs, and the Armory with the Turkish Chamber. The Zwinger palace contains the Old Masters Picture Gallery, the Porcelain Collection, and the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments. The Albertinum hosts the New Masters Gallery and the Sculpture Collection. Pillnitz Castle houses the Arts and Crafts Museum and the Japanisches Palais the Ethnographical Museum Dresden. The Saxon Folk Art Museum and Puppet Theatre Collection can be found in the Jägerhof in Dresden-Neustadt.
