Annual Report 2010 - Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

The exhibition in Dresden
had a great deal to
offer: a plate, knife and
fork from the service
made for King Christian
Vi of Denmark,
1740/1745, …
… sculptural works created in the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory, including
the “Peacock on a Tree stump”, model: Johann Joachim Kaendler, 1734, …
A particular focus of interest for Curator Dr. Claudia Banz
was the table service as an expression of refined table
culture. In order to underline the magnificence and colourfulness
of the exhibits, the Spanish exhibition architect
Juan de Cubas chose a contemporary minimalist presentation
concept as a contrast to the Baroque opulence.
Dancing porcelain
The ceremonial opening of the largest and most important
exhibition of 18th­century Meissen porcelain, which
took place on 7 May, 2010, was characterised by this opulence
and the continuing fascination for porcelain as an
exceptional material. Around 700 invited guests came to
the Japanisches Palais in order to celebrate – in the illuminated
inner courtyard and later in a tour of the exhibition
– this unique opportunity to view such a diverse range of
porcelain works of art in a single place.
Prime Minister Stanislaw Tillich, State Minister Prof. Dr. Dr.
Sabine Freifrau von Schorlemer and Lord Mayor Helma
Orosz, in particular, referred in their respective addresses to
the radiant appeal of these works of art and to their importance
for Dresden and Saxony, both artistically and economically.
The significance of Meissen porcelain for the entire
Free State of Saxony was also emphasised by Dr. Christian
Striefler, Director of the Staatliche Schlösser, Burgen und
Gärten (State Palaces, Castles and Gardens) of Saxony.
He was followed on the speaker’s rostrum by two special
international guests: Sir Christopher Mallaby, former British
Ambassador to Germany, and the by now almost legendary
porcelain collector Henry Arnhold from New York.
Whereas Sir Christopher provided a fascinating insight
into his memories of Germany in the years immediately
before and after the peaceful revolution in the GDR, Henry
Arnhold impressively described his special relationship
with Dresden and Meissen porcelain. Born into a Jewish
family of bankers in Dresden, he was forced to leave his
homeland under the pressure of the Nazi regime. However,
he never cut his connections with his Saxon roots –
especially because he succeeded in taking a large proportion
of his parents’ art and porcelain collection with him
into exile in America. Today, he owns the most important
collection of Meissen porcelain outside of Europe.
The last two speeches during the evening focused specifically
on the organisation of the exhibition. Prof. Dr. Klaus­
Ewald Holst, chairman of the board at VNG – Verbundnetz
Gas AG Leipzig, considered it first from the perspective of
a business partner, without whose support such a major
project could not have been realised.
… and high-quality
loans such as “shuo
Lao in a Tree”, Meissen
c. 1730, The Metropolitan
Museum of art,
New York
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