Getty Museum

View of Dresden

Date

1810

Medium

Watercolor over graphite

Culture

German

Department

Drawings

Institution

Getty Museum

With its grand scale and astonishing level of detail, this colorful panorama renders the unique atmosphere of Dresden, the traditional capital of Saxony (eastern Germany) and a major artistic center. A native of the city, Hammer specialized in such exacting yet picturesque city views for which there was much demand at the time. Here he focused on Dresden's historic center (destroyed during World War II) and its elegant skyline--including splendid Baroque buildings--seen from the verdant banks of the Elbe River, where figures go about their daily activities. Hand-colored prints of similar size were made after this watercolor, which was likely conceived from the outset for reproduction.

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