An Art Guide To The Procession Of Princes In Dresden

The Procession of Princes is a remarkable display of art and history that takes visitors on a journey through the cultural heritage of Dresden. This grand ceramic procession features a collection of larger-than-life portraits of Saxony rulers dating back to the 16th century. Beyond its historical significance, the Procession of Princes is also a masterpiece of art. This guide will take you on a tour of the Procession of Princes, exploring the art and history behind this grand display. From the symbolism of the portraits to the stories behind each ruler, you will discover the rich cultural heritage of Dresden and gain a deeper appreciation for the art and history of this remarkable city.

Access

The Procession of Princes, or Fürstenzug, is located in Historic Dresden, Germany. The Procession of Princes Mural is situated outside the Stallhof, on Schlossplatz Square. Walking east along Augustusstraße, you will immediately be overwhelmed by the site of the giant wall installation.

About the Procession of Princes

This 101-meter-long porcelain series of portraits depicts the entire history of Dresden. By portraying the various men who built, controlled, governed and sparked new thoughts and ideas within the city. It features Dukes, Electors, Kings and other leading figures from the arts and sciences.

Porcelain Tiles

Over 24,000 porcelain tiles make up Procession of Princes. The tiles were made in the German town of Meissen. Meissen was made famous for its prolific porcelain factory. Today, the Procession of Princes is the world’s most extensive porcelain work of art. 

History of Mural

Initially, the outer wall of the Stallhof (Stables Courtyard) was decorated with a large fresco. The first fresco dated all the way back to 1589. In 1872, for the 800th anniversary of the princely House of Wettin, a new fresco was commissioned to replace the previous one.

Wilhelm Walther

This version was to be painted by artist Wilhelm Walther. Walther worked on the piece for more than five years. He used the sgraffito technique popular in the 19th century. This sgraffito technique was made by applying layers of plaster tinted in contrasting colours and scratching away to reveal the various layers and colours.

At the back of the group along the mural, look for a man with a large hat poking his head out of the crowd. This is a portrait of Wilhelm Walther, who designed the original fresco.

Sadly, Walther’s new fresco began to deteriorate almost immediately. So in 1904, 23,000 Meissen porcelain tiles were commissioned to replace the painted fresco. Tiles could withstand the outdoor elements and be a permanent solution to ensure the artwork lasted for ages. Each tile was hand painted and fired. Hundreds of artisans were employed to complete the work of art.

WWII

Amazingly, thanks to the strong tiles, the Procession of Princes was minimally damaged during the significant Dresden bombing of WWII. After the war, its remaining artistry served as a beacon of hope for reconstructing the rest of the city of Dresden.

Design of the Mural

Despite being fired in porcelain, it looks closely at the tiny details painted onto the mural to make it appear like a giant woven tapestry. Buttons and tassels hang from below. Also spread throughout the mural are blossoms, fruits, and various birds flying overhead.

Fashion Throughout Time

One of my favourite things about the mural is watching fashion change as we move through history. On the chest of Conrad are the arms of Dresden. The weapons depict the lion of Meissen.

Portraits on the Mural

Across the mural, you’ll find 35 noblemen, princes, dukes and kings. All of these men are seen mounted on horseback. In addition, there are also 59 scientists, artisans, artisans, children, and farmers accompanying these noblemen on foot. 

The only woman portrayed in the mural is a girl in the group of children at the rear of the royal procession.

The man leading the charge is Conrad the Great. He ruled from 1123 until his retirement in 1156. Conrad was the leader of the wealthy Wettin family, for whom the entire mural was made honour.

Augustus the Strong

The most important man in this mural is Augustus II, Augustus the Strong. You’ll hear his name over and over in Dresden. His face was plastered on dozens of statues across the city. Augustus the Strong got his name due to his physical strength. He liked to show off at any opportunity. Once, as the legend goes, he broke a horseshoe in half with his bare hands. History has proved that the horseshoe in question was very brittle, but nevertheless, it impressed the people at the time. 

Augustus had high ambitions for himself and his great city of Dresden. He was a great patron of the arts and architecture. Augustus established the Saxon capital of Dresden as a major cultural centre, attracting artists from across Europe to his court. He collected hundreds of artworks from some of the greatest old masters. 

Augustus and the Polish Throne

But Augustus wanted more, and in 1697 he converted to Catholicism to take control of the Polish throne. See if you can spot the flowers scattered on the ground in the mural. The horse Augustus rides is rearing up and stomping out a large rose. This rose was the symbol of the Lutheran religion. A message that Augustus was stamping out all evidence of his previous belief and was loyal to the Catholic faith.

At the end of the mural, we see a frame with the text that says, “You old tribe, be always again in the noble ranks of princes, as all-time your people consecrate you the old German loyalty.”

The procession ends near the Church of the Holy Trinity entrance, where many men portrayed in this mural are buried.