Sacral art in abundance – thanks to and notwithstanding the

Whoever examines the “Fürstenzug” in Dresden, a mural depicting the procession of the Saxon rulers from the House of Wettin, generally pauses at the portrait of Augustus the Strong. The other rulers are mostly disregarded. Thus, only few tourists will give full attention to the first Augustus, an earlier Elector of Saxony. A pity, because not only did he pursue a smart policy of reconciliation during the unstable years after the Reformation, he also helped Saxony reach economic, scientific and cultural prime. By establishing an art chamber in the Royal palace, Augustus furthermore laid the cornerstone for the Dresden State Art Collections. Today, they own the biggest collection of pieces from the time of Reformation. While symbolic exhibits like ’s signet ring and goblet are exhibited in the Green Vault, the “Old Masters” Gallery is rich in significant from the 16th century. Masterpieces like Raphael’s “Sistine ” attract art enthusiasts from all over the world.

In the anniversary year of the Reformation, the so-called “Katharinenaltar” is at the centre of interest of the numerous visitors to the gallery. Its artist, Lucas Cranach the Elder, was called to as in 1505. There he became famous for his portraits of the Saxon electors and reformers. A very close connection developed between the painter and Martin Luther. Thus, Lucas Cranach the Elder illustrated the first Protestant pamphlet in 1519. Later on he even was witness to the marriage of the reformer. With his depictions he shaped the picture we have of Luther today. His denomination to notwithstanding, Lucas Cranach the Elder also worked for Catholic clients, as was customary in those times. Thus, his legacy gives a comprising overview of the years of the Reformation. The largest number of works from the Cranach workshop can be found in the Dresden State Art Collections.

Diverse exhibits, diverse stories

With the opening of another wing at the Royal palace on Easter 2017, another facet of the Reformation will be displayed that has barely attracted interest so far. In the new museum rooms, visitors gain insights into the world of the Saxon rulers from the 16th and early 17th century. Exhibits like magnificent gowns or ceremonial weapons richly ornamented with motifs from the Reformation tell the story from the point of view of the rich and mighty. And in Leipzig, one of the centres of Reformation, numerous exhibits tell of the historic events as well. At the Museum of Municipal History, the silver Luther goblet and the original wedding ring of can be admired. Aside from the paintings and epitaphs by Lucas Cranach the Elder, they are the central pieces of the exhibition “Luther im Disput. Leipzig und die Folgen” (“Luther in Debate. Leipzig and the Consequences.”), which is open to visitors from 12/04/2017 until 28/01/2018.

Authentic exhibition locations

Is there a more appropriate place to admire Reformation art than a church? In Saxony, more than one church houses real treasures. Often, they are located far from the big towns – like the late Gothic church St. Wolfgang in Schneeberg. The first monumental Reformation can be found here. It is considered to be one of the most comprising works from the Cranach workshop.

The design implies that Martin Luther must have been present during its creation, because the choice and order of the images fully correspond with the ideas of the Reformation. During its inauguration in 1539, this impressive artwork was set up at the church as convertible altarpiece with double-winged doors, and it could be altered depending on the occasion. There was a design for weekdays, Sundays and a reverted design, each of which showed another aspect from the . It is quite a miracle that it can be shown in this state again today. Committed people defended it furiously time and again over the centuries so that it survived i.e. a robbery during the Thirty Years’ War, the most devastating fire in the town’s history and the bombardment of Schneeberg in April 1945. That is why it is quite remarkable that the restored altar has been adorning the church again in its original form since 1996.

Also the idyllic, small Saxon town of Augustusburg is not really a place where you would expect to find a masterpiece of Reformation art. But experts know: In the church of the Renaissance-style Augustusburg Castle there is one of the most remarkable from the Reformation period to be found. It was created by Lucas Cranach the Younger, son of the former Wittenberg court painter, and depicts the family of Elector Augustus and their Protestant understanding of faith.

The reformer as protector of

Especially in South and Switzerland, supporters of the Reformation destroyed numerous Catholic paintings, sculptures and church windows in the 16th century. This wave of destruction went down in history as the “Bildersturm” (iconoclasm). It is thanks to Luther’s foresight that precious Catholic artworks have been preserved until today. As most people were not able to read or write in the 16th century, their only access to the bible consisted in sacral depictions. The reformer was aware of the great importance of these artworks. That is why he took a stand for their preservation.

The reformers even spared the magnificent St Anne’s Church in Annaberg-Buchholz, despite the fact that it had been commissioned by one of Luther’s most famous opponents, George the Bearded. It is considered to be one of the most significant church buildings from late Gothic times and still fascinates its visitors, especially with its impressive vault and the skilfully designed “Bergaltar”. The 100 relief panels that adorn the gallery parapets are particularly noteworthy. Aside from a picture bible with scenes from the Old and New Testament they each contain ten depictions of men and women in different stages of life. An animal symbolises the character traits of these people in accordance with the corresponding age. But it is the task of the observer to figure out how exactly the appearance of a lion or a bat should be interpreted.

In Zittau in East Saxony, another showpiece of Catholic church art was protected from the destructive frenzy of Protestant zealots: the Great Lenten Veil. Before the Reformation it was customary to veil the altar with tastefully ornamented linens during Lent. In the course of the iconoclasm, these were destroyed almost without exception. But the Great Zittau Lenten Veil, which was painted in 1472, survived the turmoil of the time of Reformation. Thus, stories from the Old and New Testament can still be admired on 56 square metres today. Special dimensions require special measures: Due to its size the Lenten veil is stored in the biggest museum display case of the world at the museum “Kirche zum Heiligen Kreuz” (Church of the Holy Cross).

From an art-historical point of view, the Small Lenten Veil (also exhibited in Zittau) is even more significant. Because there are only six specimen of the Arma Christi-type left. In Germany it is the only one of its kind. Today, the 15 sq.m. veil that has covered the altar at the Zittau Johanniskirche Church since 1573 is presented in the former Franciscan monastery. But it is not only its design that makes it so special. The date of its creation, after the Reformation, makes the Small Zittau Lenten Veil unique. It is the only Lenten veil to be commissioned by a Protestant parish. This art-historical treasure is a mediator between Catholic tradition and advanced Protestantism demonstrating in an impressive way how religious tolerance was practised in Upper Lusatia.

A unique specimen in Zittau, superlatives in Dresden, a miracle in Schneeberg: This abundance in sacral artworks proves that Saxony can be seen as a huge gallery – with “exhibition rooms” stretching from Upper Lusatia into the Ore Mountains.

Highlights for art enthusiasts on the 500th anniversary of Reformation 2016-18

• 24/11/2016 – 01/01/2018: “GOTTES WERK UND WORT VOR AUGEN. Kunst im Kontext der Reformation.“ (“Art in the context of Reformation) GRASSI Museum of Applied Arts Leipzig

• 01/01 – 31/12/2017: “Lucas Cranach und die Motive der Reformation” (“Lucas Cranach and the Motifs of Reformation”), Museum of Fine Arts Leipzig • Easter 2017: Opening of another part of the Renaissance wing with a comprising exhibition on the time of Reformation, Royal Palace of Dresden

• 12/04/2017 – 28/01/2018 “Luther im Disput. Leipzig und die Folgen.” (“Luther in the Debate. Leipzig and the Consequences.”), Leipzig Museum of Muncipal History

• 30 July 2017 – 7 January 2018: “Vielfalt Freiheit, Toleranz – Gedächtnis und Erinnerung. Ein Schatzhaus der Oberlausitzer Reformation” (Diversity, Freedom, Tolerance – Memory and Retrospection. A Treasure from the Upper Lusatian Reformation.) – Exhibition of epitaphs from the 16th century, Franciscan Monastery Church Zittau

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