Giambologna's bronze statuette Mars once again held by the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Friday, March 29, 2024


Giambologna's bronze statuette Mars once again held by the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
The small bronze, which is one of the oldest items held by the museum complex, came to Dresden in 1587 as a personal gift of the artist Giambologna to Elector Christian I of Saxony. © SKD, Photo: Oliver Killig.



DRESDEN.- For more than 300 years, the statuette of the warrior god Mars, created by the Renaissance artist Giambologna (1529–1608), was part of the art collection of the Saxon electors. Nearly 100 years ago it entered private ownership. Today it has returned to Saxony and, now owned by the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden (SKD), is being presented to the public. Before the bronze statuette is put on display at the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in the Semperbau when the museum reopens in December 2019, it will “travel” the Free State of Saxony. The “welcome-home tour” will start at the Stadt- und Bergbaumuseum Freiberg, where, starting today, the Mars will be on view until 31 March. Later in the year, it will be presented at Schloss Hartenfels in Torgau and, finally, at the Schlossbergmuseum Chemnitz.

The small bronze, which is one of the oldest items held by the museum complex, came to Dresden in 1587 as a personal gift of the artist Giambologna to Elector Christian I of Saxony. In 1924, the sculpture became subject to the so-called Fürstenabfindung, an expropriation of the German aristocracy, whereupon it entered private ownership. In 1983, it became the property of Bayer AG.

The SKD has been able to re-acquire the Mars statuette thanks to a great collaborative effort. Critical financial support came from the Free State of Saxony, the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media, the Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung, the German Federal Cultural Foundation and the Friends of the SKD.

Professor Marion Ackermann, Director General of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, states: “With the ‘Dresden Mars’ by Giambologna, Saxony is getting back a recognized masterpiece of Italian Renaissance sculpture – a rare confluence of artistic brilliance and historical relevance. This, incidentally, is the only thing that can account for an unparalleled rescue operation having been orchestrated at the very last minute. I am deeply grateful to all partners who joined in this coordinated acquisition for their outstanding effort. This artwork of national value now belongs to the public and we can feel certain that it will be accessible to all at the place of its historical destiny.”

Prof. Monika Grütters, Minister of State for Culture and the Media, expressed her satisfaction: “It counts as a great success that we, together, have been able to bring this precious small bronze back to the place where it historically belongs, back to Saxony. The overwhelming collaborative effort is a clear declaration of culture and an expression of a powerful ‘cooperative federalism’ in Germany. The federal government, too, made a strong commitment in the repurchase of the artwork and has made a considerable financial contribution to help achieve the required sum. Because of its unique artistic and historical significance, the famous Renaissance figure is today considered emblematic of our history, making it one of the outstanding cultural assets of the Federal Republic of Germany.”

Michael Kretschmer, Prime Minister of the Free State of Saxony, states: “It's wonderful that the Mars is back in Saxony. My thanks go to all those who made this possible. I am also pleased that this unique sculpture will be on view in Freiberg and then elsewhere in the Free State. Our cultural treasures are at home not only in the big cities but in the whole of Saxony. It’s a good thing that the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden have seized on this notion and keep reaching out.”

Dr. Martin Hoernes, Secretary General of the Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung, is pleased: “Immediately before auctions, the flexibility and generosity of our art foundation, as desired by its founder, prove valuable. This means that important funding decisions can be made within a few days, and in the case of highly valuable works, even within hours. Giambologna’s Mars is one of those exceptional works of art, and the legacy of the patron and entrepreneur Ernst von Siemens, as well as the generous support of Siemens AG, made it possible to seize the opportunity to purchase with determination and in the short term.”

Prof. Dr. Markus Hilgert, Secretary General of the German Federal Cultural Foundation, says: “Giambologna’s Mars in its outstanding artistic quality will not only captivate visitors to the Dresden Sculpture Collection. The return of the work, which is historically significant to the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, supplies yet another reason why the SKD will remain an important destination for international art history research.”

Saxony's Minister of Arts Eva-Maria Stange would like to thank all the donors for their commitment: “The Mars is a national cultural asset, of great historical value to Saxony and a sculpture of great beauty and grace. I therefore thank all public and private supporters for having enabled this purchase in such an uncomplicated and timely manner. As the sculpture once again belongs to the collection of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, its presentation to the public is guaranteed forever.”

Sven Krüger, Lord Mayor of Freiberg, emphasizes: “I am proud that the silver town of Freiberg is the first to publicly present Giambologna’s Mars. This is to say that for a few weeks, the Mars sculpture is returning to the place which, with its silver, brought glory and splendour for all of Saxony.”

The happy return of the ‘Dresden Mars’ provides an opportunity to draw attention to a Saxon art monument of great significance, which would probably not exist in this form without the inspiration of Giambologna’s small bronze: the burial place of the House of Wettin in the east choir of the Freiberg Cathedral. At the request of Christian I, this chapel was decorated with life-size bronze statues created by Carlo di Cesare del Palagio (1538–1598), a pupil of Giambologna, who had been specially brought to Freiberg from Florence. Usually closed to the public, the burial chapel is now open during the presentation of Giambologna’s Mars in Freiberg and can be visited using the regular museum ticket.

The acquisition of the bronze statuette for the SKD was co-financed with tax revenue in accordance with the budget passed by the members of the Saxon Landtag.










Today's News

January 25, 2019

Travel ban for 'fragile' Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers'

Giambologna's bronze statuette Mars once again held by the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

German police seize 'fake' Hitler watercolours

Canada acquires rare book previously owned by Adolf Hitler

Colnaghi and Ben Brown Fine Arts open exhibition that re-examines the career of Lucio Fontana

The Yves Saint Laurent wardrobe of Catherine Deneuve achieves $1 million

Dippy, the UK's most famous dinosaur, is open and awaiting his Scottish audience at Kelvingrove Museum

Getty Medal to go to Lorna Simpson, Mary Beard and Ed Ruscha

Exhibition at Astrup Fearnley Museet focuses on the next generation in Norwegian contemporary art

Renowned Asian art collection and $23M in funding donated to Texas university

Boca Raton Museum of Modern Art has opened its new exterior enhancements project designed by Glavovic Studio

Susan R. Ewing named Director of Cranbrook Academy of Art

Hionas Gallery opens new space in Tribeca with exhibition of new paintings by David Rhodes and Gary Stephan

Davis Museum receives 75K grant from Warhol Foundation for upcoming exhibition on Fatimah Tuggar

A stitch in time to save Egypt's ancient tentmaking craft

Japanese manga queen Rumiko Takahashi wins top French prize

The Last Waltz (For Leon): Tim Van Laere Gallery opens a group show

Kasmin opens an exhibition of polaroids taken by Andy Warhol between 1974 and 1985

GeorgII Uvs exhibits for the first time in the UK at the Saatchi Gallery

Joan Jonas exhibits new drawings in Gardner Museum galleries and façade this month

SculptureCenter presents first U.S. solo exhibition by Istanbul-based artist Banu Cennetoğlu

Assemblages and sculptural objects by Hesam Rahmanian on view at Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde

Unique works ranging from The Beatles to Buffalo Bill will be offered at Rare Posters Auctions




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful